Strategy to Enhance and Protect the Development of the Irish Language

Straitéis le Forbairt na Gaeilge a Fheabhsú agus a Chosaint

Strategy to Enhance and

Protect the Development

2015 – 2035

An Roinn Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Malartán an Chabhsa Causeway Exchange 1-7 Sráid Bedford 1-7 Bedford Street Béal Feirste Belfast BT2 7EG BT2 7EG

Ábhar | Contents

Réamhrá 1 Foreword Achoimre Fheidhmeach 3 Executive Summary Cuid 1: Fís agus Comthéacs 5 Part 1: Vision and Context Cuid 2: An Bunús le hAghaidh Straitéise 11 Part 2: The Basis for a Strategy Cuid 3: Aidhmeanna, Cupsóirí agus Torthaí 19 Part 3: Aims, Objectives and Outcomes Cuid 4: Réimsí Gnímh 23 Part 4: Areas for Action Oideachas 26 Education Seachadadh na Gaeilge sa Teaghlach – Luath-Idirghabháil 41 Family Transmission of the Language – Early Intervention An Gaeilge agus an Pobal 44 The Irish Language and the Community Seirbhísí Poiblí 51 Public Services Na Meáin agus Teicneolaíocht 54 Media and Technology Reachtaíocht agus Stádas na Gaeilge 59 Legislation and Status of the Irish Language An Saol Eacnamaíochta 62 Economic Life Cuid 5: Cur i bhFeidhm 68 Part 5: Implementation Tagairtí | References 72

Straitéis le Forbairt na Gaeilge a Strategy to Enhance and Protect the Fheabhsú agus a Chosaint Development of the Irish Language 2015 – 2035 2015 – 2035

Réamhrá Foreword

Is le gach duine againn an Ghaeilge agus is cuid The Irish language belongs to us all and is a luachmhar í dár n-oidhreacht chultúrtha valuable part of our shared cultural heritage. The chomhroinnte. Is le leas gach duine againn enhancement, development and protection of feabhsú, forbairt agus cosaint na Gaeilge agus the Irish language is in all our interests and níor chóir dearcadh uirthi mar rud a dheighleann should not be viewed as divisive. daoine ó chéile. Sa Straitéis seo cuirtear an Ghaeilge chun cinn ar This Strategy promotes the Irish language in a dhóigh dhearfach, fhorásach arb aidhm di positive progressive way aiming to break down constaicí agus tuairimí diúltacha a bhaineann leis barriers and negative preconceptions which have an teanga a shárú. Is é aidhm na Straitéise seo an surrounded the language. This Strategy aims to Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil do gach duine a open the Irish language up to everyone who roghnaíonn í a fhoghlaim agus a úsáid. Leagtar chooses to learn and use it. It sets out a long amach inti fís fhadtéarmach de na nithe a term vision of what needs to be addressed if gcaithfear dul ina gceann má tá an Ghaeilge le Irish is to be enhanced, protected and developed feabhsú, le cosaint agus le forbairt mar theanga as a language for all our community in terms of dár bpobal ar fad maidir le foghlaim, úsáid, stádas learning, use, status and respect in a quality and agus meas ar dhóigh ardcháilíochta agus sustainable way. inbhuanaithe. Aithnítear sa Straitéis seo an tábhacht atá le This Strategy recognises the importance of cosaint agus feabhsú fhorbairt na Gaeilge. Ba protecting and enhancing the development of chóir í a bhreathnú i gcomhthéacs na gceangaltas the Irish language. It should be viewed in the a tugadh i ndiaidh Chomhaontú Chill Rìmhinn i context of the commitments given following the 2006 ar toradh dóibh leasuithe ar Acht TÉ 1998 2006 Agreement at St Andrews resulting in a chuir d’iallach ar an Fheidhmeannas straitéis a amendments to the NI Act 1998 to place a duty ghlacadh ina leagtar amach mar a bheartaíonn sé on the Executive to adopt a strategy setting out feabhsú agus cosaint fhorbairt na Gaeilge. Tugtar how it proposes to enhance and protect the aghaidh sa Straitéis seo fosta ar cheanglais Chlár development of the Irish language. This Strategy Rialtais 2011-2015 an Fheidhmeannais, ina bhfuil also directly addresses the requirements of the forbairt straitéise don Ghaeilge mar chroí- Executive’s Programme for Government 2011- bhunchloch faoi Thosaíocht 4 de Chlár “Pobal 2015, which contains the development of a Láidir agus Comhroinnte a Chothú’. strategy for the Irish language as a key building block under Priority 4 of the Programme ‘Building a Strong and Shared Community’. Nuair a foilsíodh an dréacht-Straitéis, dúirt mé When the draft Strategy was published I said gur mheas mé gur cuid ríthábhachtach that I viewed full and comprehensive public d’fhorbairt ábhar agus substaint na Straitéise seo consultation as a vital part of the development of é comhairliúchán poiblí iomlán cuimsitheach. the content and substance of this Strategy. The B’fhianaise iad réimse agus líon na bhfreagairtí range and number of consultation responses comhairliúcháin a fuarthas gur glacadh go maith, provided evidence that the draft Strategy was tríd is tríd, leis an Straitéis. Úsáideadh an réimse generally well received. The wide range of views leathan dearcthaí agus barúlacha a léirigh gach and opinions from throughout the community cuid den phobal leis an Straitéis seo a neartú has been used to strengthen and improve this agus a fheabhsú. Ach is trí chomhoibriú Ranna, Strategy. However, the success of this Strategy páirtithe leasmhara agus an phobail chun a will only be realised if Departments,

1 haidhmeanna agus cuspóirí a bhaint amach, agus stakeholders and the community work in tríd sin amháin, a éireoidh leis an Straitéis seo. partnership to achieve its aims and objectives. Ba é seo an teachtaireacht a fuarthas arís agus This was a message which came through time arís eile sa chomhairliúchán phoiblí agus ba é an and again in the public consultation resulting in toradh a bhí air sin ná an dóigh a gcuirfear an the way in which this Strategy will be Straitéis seo i bhfeidhm a neartú agus a fheabhsú implemented being strengthened and improved chun go léireofar ról ríthábhachtach an phobail to reflect the critical role of the community and agus páirtithe leasmhara eile. other stakeholders.

Carál Ní Chuilín Carál Ní Chuilín Aire Cultúir Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta Minister of Culture Arts and Leisure

Achoimre Fheidhmeach Executive Summary

Ina Chlár Rialtais 2011- 2015 tá san áireamh ag In its Programme for Government 2011-2015, Feidhmeannas Thuaisceart Éireann (an the Northern Ireland Executive (the Executive) Feidhmeannas) Straitéis don Ghaeilge mar chroí- has included a Strategy for the Irish Language as bhunchloch faoi Thosaíocht 4 ‘Pobal Láidir, a key building block under Priority 4 ‘Building a Comhroinnte a Chothú’. Tá sé seo mar thoradh Strong and Shared Community’. This follows ar chomhaontuithe idir Rialtas na Breataine agus agreements between the British and Irish Rialtas na hÉireann as ar eascair leasuithe in Governments, which led to the Northern 2006 ar Acht Thuaisceart Éireann (TÉ) 1998 le Ireland (NI) Act 1998 being amended in 2006 to gur cuimsíodh ceanglas ar an Fheidhmeannas include a requirement for the Executive to chun “Straitéis a ghlacadh ina leagtar amach mar a “adopt a Strategy setting out how it proposes to bheartaíonn sé forbairt na Gaeilge a fheabhsú agus enhance and protect the development of the Irish a chosaint”. language”. Leagtar amach sa Straitéis seo pleananna le This Strategy sets out plans to enhance and forbairt na Gaeilge a fheabhsú agus a chosaint go protect the development of the Irish language ceann fiche bliain, ag cur san áireamh riachtanais over the next 20 years, taking account of the phobal na Gaeilge agus dea-chleachtas needs of the Irish language community and idirnáisiúnta. international best practice. Aidhmeanna na Straitéise seo Aims of this Strategy

Is iad bunaidhmeanna na straitéise seo: The key aims of this Strategy are: . Tacú le sealbhú agus foghlaim na Gaeilge ar . Support quality and sustainable acquisition bhonn ardcháilíochta agus inbhuanaithe. and learning of the Irish language. . Stádas agus infheictheacht na Gaeilge a . Enhance and protect the status and visibility fheabhsú agus a chosaint. of the Irish language. . Gréasáin agus pobail ardcháilíochta agus . Deliver quality and sustainable Irish language inbhuanaithe Gaeilge a sholáthar. networks and communities. . An Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ar dhóigh a . Promote the Irish language in a way that will chuirfidh le cothú pobal láidir, comhroinnte. contribute towards building a strong and shared community. Cuspóirí na Straitéise seo Objectives of this Strategy

Leis na haidhmeanna seo a bhaint amach, tá na In order to accomplish these aims, the following cuspóirí seo a leanas leagtha síos: objectives have been set: . Líon na ndaoine atá ag sealbhú na Gaeilge . To increase the numbers of those acquiring tríd an Ghaelscolaíocht a mhéadú. the Irish language through Irish-medium education. . Líon na ndaoine atá ag foghlaim Gaeilge tríd . To increase the numbers of those learning the an chóras oideachais Béarla a mhéadú. Irish language in the English-medium education system. Líon na ndaoine atá ag foghlaim Gaeilge . To increase the numbers of those learning the taobh amuigh den chóras oideachais Irish language outside of formal education. fhoirmiúil a mhéadú. . To support an increase in the numbers of . Tacú le méadú i líon na bpáistí atá á dtógáil children being reared through Irish. trí Ghaeilge. . To meet all obligations towards the Irish

. Gach oibleagáid a bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge language under the European Charter for faoin Chairt Eorpach do Theangacha Regional or Minority Languages. Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh a fhreastal. . Rochtain ar mheáin Ghaeilge ardcháilíochta . To increase access to quality Irish language a mhéadú. media. . Feasacht ar luach geilleagrach agus sóisialta . To increase awareness of the economic and na Gaeilge a mhéadú. social value of the Irish language. . Cosaint reachtúil ar an Ghaeilge a ghnóthú. . To secure legislative protection for the Irish . Pleananna agus tionscnaimh áitiúla language. phobalbhunaithe Gaeilge atá inbhuanaithe . To develop sustainable and quality local agus d’ardcháilíocht a fhorbairt. community-based Irish language plans and initiatives. . Deiseanna a chur ar fáil an Ghaeilge a úsáid . To provide opportunities to use Irish to as don réimse is leithne daoine agus is féidir trí wide a range of people as possible by ghréasáin theaghlaigh, shóisialta agus phobail encouraging family, social and community- a spreagadh. based language networks. . Tacú le méadú ar líon na ndaoine a . To support an increase in the number of labhraíonn Gaeilge ar bhonn laethúil. daily speakers of the Irish language. . Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an Ghaeilge i ngach . To increase positive attitudes to the Irish cuid den phobal a mhéadú. language throughout the community. . Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an Ghaeilge sa . To increase positive attitudes towards the phobal Phrotastúnach Aontachtach Irish language in the Protestant Unionist Dhílseach a mhéadú. Loyalist community. Réimsí Gnímh Areas for Action

Sainaithnítear seacht réimse gnímh a rachaidh Seven key areas for action have been identified chun sochair don Ghaeilge. Cuirfidh gníomhartha that will benefit the Irish language. Action in i ngach réimse le gnóthachtáil chuspóirí na each of these areas will contribute towards the Straitéise seo. Is iad seo na réimsí gnímh: achievement of this Strategy’s objectives. The areas for action are: . Oideachas . Education . Seachadadh na Gaeilge sa Teaghlach– Luath- . Family Transmission of the Irish Language – Idirghabháil Early Intervention . An Ghaeilge agus an Pobal . The Irish Language and the Community . Seirbhísí Poiblí . Public Services . Meáin agus Teicneolaíocht . Media and Technology . Reachtaíocht agus Stádas na Gaeilge . Legislation and Status of the Irish Language . An Saol Eacnamaíochta . Economic Life Feidhmiú na Straitéise Implementation of the Strategy

Is iad na Ranna a thabharfaidh feidhmiú na The implementation of this Strategy will be Straitéise chun cinn i gcomhpháirt le taken forward by Departments in partnership croípháirtithe leasmhara i bpobal na Gaeilge. with key stakeholders in the Irish language community.

Cuid 1: Fís agus Part 1: Vision and Comthéacs Context

Fís Vision

1.1 Ina Chlár Rialtais 2011-15, a foilsíodh ar 1.1 In its Programme for Government 2011- 12 Márta 2012, d’aithin an Feidhmeannas 15, published on 12 March 2012, the an tábhacht atá le muintir na háite Executive recognised the importance of tosaíochtaí a shocrú do na blianta atá local people setting priorities for the romhainn agus le tapú na deise a future and seizing the opportunity offered thairgtear tríd an chineachadh chun by devolution to deliver a shared and todhchaí chomhroinnte fheabhsaithe do better future for all our people. gach duine inár bpobal a ghnóthú. 1.2 Daingnítear é seo faoi Thosaíocht 4 ‘Pobal 1.2 This is reinforced under Priority 4 Láidir, Comhroinnte a Chothú’ ina ‘Building a Strong and Shared Community’ ndírítear, i measc nithe eile, ar chaidrimh a which focuses among other things on chothú idir phobail agus ar bhuntáiste a building relationships between bhreith ar acmhainn earnáil an chultúir communities and unlocking the potential mar shlí chun athrú dearfach a bhaint of the culture sector as an instrument for amach. Déantar saintagairt faoin Tosaíocht positive change. Under this Priority seo do Straitéis Ghaeilge mar ‘Bunchloch’. specific reference is made to a Strategy for the Irish Language as a ‘Building Block’. 1.3 Sa straitéis seo aithnítear an Ghaeilge mar 1.3 This Strategy recognises the Irish language chuid luachmhar dár saibhreas agus dár n- as a valuable part of our shared diverse oidhreacht chultúrtha chomhroinnte cultural wealth and heritage. The creation ilghnéitheach. Is den riachtanas go of a climate of tolerance and dialogue is gcruthaítear timpeallacht caoinfhulaingthe necessary to enable our cultural heritage agus comhphlé le gur féidir foinse agus and cultural diversity in general to be a fachtóir saibhrithe dár sochaí a dhéanamh source and a factor of enrichment for our dár n-oidhreacht agus dár n-ilghnéitheacht society. The Strategy will therefore seek chultúrtha. Déanfar iarracht tríd an to promote wider understanding of the Straitéis seo, mar sin de, tuiscint níos background to the Irish language across all leithne ar chúlra na Gaeilge a chur chun sections of our community. cinn i ngach cuid dár bpobal. 1.4 Is coincheap casta é ábhar na féiniúlachta; 1.4 The notion of identity is a complex is léir, áfach, go bhfuil ról lárnach ag cúrsaí concept; however it is evident that teanga maidir le sainmhíniú a thabhairt ar language plays a key role in defining who cé muid féin agus mar a bhainimid amach we are and how we achieve a sense of ciall den mhuintearas chultúrtha. Ar an cultural belonging. In the same way that dóigh chéanna ar deimhniú dár the use of language can be an affirmation bhféiniúlacht chultúrtha í úsáid teanga, tig of our individual identity, language leis an tsochaí ina hiomláine tairbhe a diversity can be of benefit to all of society bhaint as éagsúlacht teangacha mar as an affirmation of our collective identity. dhearbhú ar ár gcomhfhéiniúlacht. This Strategy will seek to protect and Féachfar sa Straitéis seo le forbairt na enhance the development of the Irish Gaeilge a chosaint agus a fheabhsú inár language in our society.

sochaí. 1.5 Glacfaidh sé am leis an athrú sóisialta agus 1.5 The social and attitudinal change dearcaidh a bheartaítear sa Straitéis seo a envisaged by this Strategy will take time to bhaint amach. Leagtar amach sa Straitéis achieve. This Strategy sets out, across a seo, thar thréimhse 20 bliain, na 20-year timeframe, the key areas for croíréimsí gníomhaíochta is gá a sholáthar action that will need to be delivered if the má táthar leis an Ghaeilge a fheabhsú, a Irish language is to be enhanced, chosaint agus a fhorbairt. protected and developed. Comhthéacs Context

1.6 Is í an Ghaeilge an teanga labhartha 1.6 The Irish language is the oldest spoken liteartha is sine san Eoraip. Tá sí á labhairt literary language in Europe. It has been le tuairim is 2000 bliain agus ba í teanga spoken for approximately 2000 years and fhormhór na ndaoine í go dtí timpeall lár was the language of the majority in Ireland an 19ú haois. Chuir an Gorta Mór, áfach, until around the middle of the 19th luas faoin mheath a tháinig de bharr century. However, the Great Famine suaitheadh polaitiúil agus sóisialta agus accelerated a decline that was linked to fhorlámhas méadaithe an Bhéarla i saol na political and social upheaval and with the tionsclaíochta agus an gheilleagair. growing dominance of the English Cuireadh tús ceart le gluaiseacht language in the industrial and commercial athbheochan na Gaeilge thart ar 1890 worlds. An Irish language revival agus tá sí ag leanúint léi, ar dhóigheanna movement began in earnest in Ireland éagsúla, go dtí an lá inniu. around 1890 and has continued in a variety of forms through to the present. 1.7 D’ainneoin na gcéadta bliain den iompú 1.7 Despite centuries of language shift from teanga ó Ghaeilge go Béarla, maireann an Irish to English, the Irish language Ghaeilge léi mar theanga bheo. Le tamall continues to survive as a living language. de bhlianta anuas tá fuinneamh agus suim Recent decades have seen renewed úr in athbheochan na teanga, go háirithe energy and interest in the language’s sa Ghaelscolaíocht. Is dhá shampla i measc revival, particularly in the area of Irish- go leor eile le gairid iad athnuachan medium education. The reinvigoration of Cheathrú Gaeltachta Bhéal Feirste agus the Belfast Gaeltacht Quarter and the obair Chumann Pobail Charn Tóchair a work of the Carntogher Community léiríonn suim agus tiomantas gníomhach Association are two of the many recent pobail leis an Ghaeilge a fhorbairt ar examples that demonstrate active dhóigh inbhuanaithe ardcháilíochta. Tá community interest and commitment to stádas iomlán bainte amach ag an Ghaeilge develop the Irish language in a sustainable mar nuatheanga de chuid na hEorpa. and quality way. The Irish language now Tugadh stádas oifigiúil di mar theanga enjoys the status of a fully-fledged modern oibre de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh i mí European language. It was afforded official Eanáir 2007. and working language status in the European Union in January 2007. 1.8 De réir Dhaonáireamh TÉ 2011, tá eolas 1.8 The 2011 NI Census showed that 184,898 éigin ag 184,898 duine ar an Ghaeilge; people have some knowledge of the Irish Dúirt céatadáin níos airde de Chaitlicigh language; a higher proportion of Catholics (21%) ná de Phrotastúnaigh (2%) go raibh (21%) than Protestants (2%) said they had cumas éigin Gaeilge acu. Léiríodh i some ability in Irish. The 2011 Census

nDaonáireamh 2011 fosta gur i measc also showed that knowledge of Irish was daoine 12-15 bliana d’aois a bhí an t-eolas highest amongst 12-15 year olds (20%); is airde ar an Ghaeilge (20%); b’éadóichí older people were less likely to have eolas ar an Ghaeilge a bheith ag daoine some knowledge of Irish with 6% of níos aosta. Dúirt 6% de dhaoine thar 75 people aged 75 over saying they have bliain go raibh eolas éigin ar an Ghaeilge some knowledge of Irish. acu. 1.9 Cuireadh ceisteanna sa Suirbhé Leanúnach 1.9 The 2011/12 Continuous Household Teaghlach (CHS) 2011/12 fosta faoi eolas Survey (CHS) also asked questions on ar an Ghaeilge. De réir an CHS bhí eolas knowledge of Irish. The CHS showed just éigin ar an Ghaeilge ag beagán níos mó ná over one in every eight (13%) of the duine as gach ochtar (13%) den daonra. population had some knowledge of Irish. Bhí thart ar dhuine as gach naonúr (11%) a Approximately one in nine (11%) could dúirt go dtuigeann siad Gaeilge labhartha understand spoken Irish, while fewer agus dúirt níos lú ná sin go dtig leo people could speak, read or write Irish Gaeilge a labhairt, a léamh nó a scríobh (8%, 6% and 5% respectively). Just under a (8%, 6% agus 5% faoi seach). Ba spéis le fifth (18%) of the population was beagán níos lú ná an cúigiú cuid den interested in learning more about Irish. daonra (18%) níos mó a fhoghlaim faoin There was a higher proportion of Ghaeilge. B’airde an sciar de Chaitlicigh ná Catholics than Protestants who have de Phrotastúnaigh a raibh eolas ar an knowledge of Irish (29% and 2% Ghaeilge acu (29% agus 2% faoi seach).1 respectively).1 1.10 Féachtar sa Straitéis seo le foghlaim, úsáid 1.10 This Strategy seeks to increase the na Gaeilge agus eolas uirthi a mhéadú don learning, use and knowledge of Irish as a phobal ar fad. Is aidhm di a chinntiú go language for all the community. It aims to dtig le gach duine, ar mian leo é, an teanga ensure that everyone, who wishes to, can a rochtain agus tairbhe a bhaint as access the language and draw on the buntáistí an dátheangachais i nGaeilge agus benefits of bilingualism in both Irish and i mBéarla araon. Is aidhm de chuid na English. This Strategy also seeks to Straitéise seo fosta stádas na Gaeilge a enhance and protect the status of the chosaint agus a fheabhsú. Irish language. 1.11 D’ainneoin gur bunfhócas de chuid na 1.11 While strengthening the position of the Straitéise seo é áit na Gaeilge taobh istigh Irish language within our educational dár gcóras oideachais, tá ríthábhacht system is a key focus of this Strategy, the chomh maith le tarchur na Gaeilge mar transmission of Irish as a living language theanga bheo taobh istigh den teaghlach within the family and between the agus idir na glúine. Is é cur chuige na generations is also critically important. Straitéise seo creat agus deiseanna This Strategy’s approach is to create a inbhuanaithe tacaíochta a chruthú inar supportive and sustainable framework and féidir an Ghaeilge a chur ar aghaidh taobh opportunities in which Irish can be passed istigh de theaghlaigh agus de phobail. on within households and communities. 1.12 Tá todhchaí na Gaeilge ag brath ar 1.12 The future of the Irish language depends roghanna dearfacha. Cruthófar leis an on positive choices being made. This straitéis seo deiseanna do gach duine sa Strategy will create opportunities for all phobal cur leis an todhchaí dhearfach seo. the community to contribute towards this

1 DCAL, (2012). Knowledge and use of Irish in Northern Ireland: Findings from the Continuous Household Survey 2011/12

Is dúshlán é seo agus beidh gá le feasacht positive future. This will be challenging, agus caoinfhulaingt phobail a mhéadú má requiring an increase in public awareness táthar leis an Ghaeilge a fheabhsú, a and tolerance if the Irish language is to be chosaint agus a fhorbairt mar is ceart. truly enhanced, protected and developed. 1.13 Aithnítear go bhfuil naisc theaghlaigh, 1.13 Recognising that Irish speakers across the shóisialta, acmhainní agus eacnamaíochta island of Ireland are linked through family, idir cainteoirí Gaeilge ar fud oileán na social, resource and economic hÉireann agus baineadh feidhm as an chur connections, this Strategy has been chuige a beartaíodh i Straitéis 20 Bliain na informed by the approach envisaged in the Gaeilge 2010-2030 de chuid Rialtas na Irish Government’s 20-Year Strategy for hÉireann nuair a bhíothas ag scríobh na the Irish Language 2010 – 2030. This Straitéise seo. Ba chóir an Straitéis seo a Strategy should also be viewed in the bhreathnú fosta i gcomhthéacs chur context of the approach adopted by the chuige A Living Language: A Language for Welsh Government’s A Living Language: Living – Welsh Language Strategy 2012-17 A Language for Living – Welsh Language de chuid Rialtas na Breataine Bige agus Strategy 2012-17 and the Scottish Bòrd na National Gaelic Language Plan 2012-2017 Gàidhlig’s National Gaelic Language Plan ag Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Sna trí dhoiciméad 2012-2017. All three documents uilig, cuirtear béim ar an teanga a fhás, a emphasise the importance of growing, fhorbairt agus a neartú agus sin é atá ag developing and strengthening the position croí aidhmeanna agus chuspóirí na of their respective languages which is also Straitéise seo fosta. at the heart of this Strategy’s aims and objectives. 1.14 Cuireann Languages for the Future – 1.14 The Department of Education’s (DE) Northern Ireland Languages Strategy, 2012 Languages for the Future – Northern de chuid na Roinne Oideachais (RO) béim Ireland Languages Strategy, 2012, air seo fosta: “aithnítear ar bhonn reiterates “that languages learning is idirnáisiúnta gur mó ná riamh an tábhacht internationally recognised as being atá le foghlaim teangacha ó thaobh na increasingly important commercially, tráchtála, an chultúir, na polaitíochta agus na culturally, politically and intellectually”. The hintleachta de”. Téitear céim níos faide i DE Strategy goes further and highlights Straitéis RO agus tarraingítear aird ar “an “the importance of language learning and the tábhacht atá le foghlaim teangacha agus an need to improve the uptake of languages in gá atá le líon na ndaltaí atá ag foghlaim schools and colleges and in the wider teangacha ar scoil agus i gcoláistí agus sa community but also recognises that languages phobal i gcoitinne a mhéadú ach aithnítear are important for wider economic, social and chomh maith go bhfuil tábhacht le teangacha community reasons as well as on purely ar chúiseanna níos leithne eacnamúla, educational grounds”. The scope of the sóisialta agus pobail chomh maith le Languages for the Future Strategy cúiseanna oideachais amháin”. Tá scóip complements the emphasis of this Languages for the Future Strategy ag cur leis Strategy on quality and sustainable an bhéim atá sa Straitéis seo ar an learning, on acquisition of the Irish fhoghlaim ardcháilíochta inbhuanaithe, ar language as well as the development of shealbhú na Gaeilge chomh maith le quality and sustainable Irish language forbairt gréasáin agus pobail ardcháilíochta networks and communities. inbhuanaithe Gaeilge. 1.15 I mí Iúil, d’fhaomh Foras Teanga na 1.15 In July 2013, the North South Ministerial Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas Council Language Body approved new

socruithe nua maoinithe le teacht in ionad funding arrangements, to replace Foras na shamhail bhunmhaoinithe Fhoras na Gaeilge's existing core funding model.2 Gaeilge.2 Áirítear leis na socruithe nua 6 The new arrangements include 6 lead cheanneagraíocht, ag feidhmiú ar bhonn organisations, operating on an all-island uile-oileáin, ag soláthar na dtosaíochtaí basis, delivering the following strategic straitéiseacha seo a leanas: priorities: . an Ghaelscolaíocht; . Irish-medium education; . an Ghaeilge san oideachas trí mheán . Irish language in English-medium an Bhéarla; education; . forbairt phobail agus eacnamaíochta . language-centred community and theangabhunaithe; economic development; . úsáid teanga; . language use; . feasacht teanga; agus . language awareness; and . gréasáin óige . youth networks Is cuidiú iad na socruithe nua seo, a tháinig These new arrangements, which took i bhfeidhm ó Iúil 2014, le haidhmeanna effect from July 2014, contribute towards agus cuspóirí na Straitéise seo a bhaint the achievement of the aims and amach. objectives of this Strategy. Buntáistí an Dátheangachais Benefits of Bilingualism

1.16 Tá cuid mhór buntáistí ag baint leis an 1.16 Bilingualism has numerous benefits, dátheangachas, go háirithe i dtaca le páistí particularly for children. Bilingualism de. Tríd an dátheangachas, tagann ciall provides a greater sensitivity to the níos doimhne do bhrí agus struchtúr meaning and structure of language and teanga agus spreagtar smaointeoireacht stimulates creative thinking and flexibility chruthaitheach, sholúbtha. Feabhsaítear of thought. It also improves employment fosta roghanna fostaíochta agus osclaítear options and can open up new career deiseanna nua gairme. opportunities. 1.17 De réir shuíomh gréasáin Bilingualism 1.17 According to the website Bilingualism Matters: Matters: De réir torthaí taighde tá buntáistí ag Research has shown that bilingualism baint leis an dátheangachas maidir le is beneficial for children’s development forbairt agus todhchaí páistí. Bíonn and their future. Children exposed to páistí a gcuirtear teangacha difriúla ina different languages become more láthair feasach ar chultúir dhifriúla, ar aware of different cultures, other dhaoine eile agus ar dhearcthaí eile. people and other points of view. But Lena chois sin, tá claonadh acu bheith they also tend to be better than níos fearr ná lucht na haon teanga i monolinguals at ‘multitasking’ and gceann ‘iltascála’ agus díriú airde, is focusing attention, they often are more minic dúil agus suim mhór sa precocious readers, and generally find léitheoireacht acu agus is iondúil gur it easier to learn other languages. fusa dóibh teangacha eile a fhoghlaim. Bilingualism gives children much more Tugann an dátheangachas i bhfad níos than two languages! 3 mó ná dhá theanga do pháistí! 3

2 An Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas, An Foras Teanga – Comhráiteas 10 Iúil 2013 | North South Ministerial Council, Language Body Joint Communiqué 10 July 2013 3 www.bilingualism-matters.org.uk/

1.18 Is tairseach a fhad le cultúr eile é eolas ar 1.18 Knowledge of another language provides a theanga eile. Tig leis cora cainte, nósanna, gateway to another culture. It can open stair, béaloideas, ceol agus filíocht áitiúil up local sayings, customs, history, folk cultúir eile a chur inár láthair. Tríd an stories, music and poetry of other fheasacht chultúrtha seo, is féidir naisc idir cultures. This cultural awareness can daoine as tíortha éagsúla a chruthú, cur le create links between people from féinmheas daoine aonair agus, mar atá different countries, improve an individual’s léirithe ag taighde, is féidir a self-esteem and research has shown that gcaoinfhulaingt chultúrtha a mhéadú tríd bilingualism and multilingualism increase an dátheangachas agus tríd an their cultural tolerance.4 ilteangachas.4 Páistí agus Daoine Óga Children and Young People

1.19 Aithnítear sa Straitéis seo an ríthábhacht 1.19 This Strategy recognises the critical atá le páistí agus daoine óga maidir le importance of children and young people forbairt na Gaeilge a chosaint agus a in terms of enhancing and protecting the fhorbairt. Tá ról an aosa óig i mbuanú na development of the Irish language. The Gaeilge tríd an sealbhú agus an úsáid role of youth in sustaining the Irish leagtha amach síos tríd an Straitéis, go language through acquisition and usage is háirithe i dtéarmaí oideachais, úsáid na set out throughout this Strategy, teanga sa teaghlach agus sa phobal, agus na particularly in terms of education, the use meán agus teicneolaíochta. Má tá bláth le of the language in the family and bheith ar an Ghaeilge, is tríd an rath sna community, and media and technology. If réimsí seo, go háirithe, a bhainfear é seo the Irish language is to thrive it will be amach. Cuirtear béim i Straitéis 20 Bliain through delivery in these areas, in na Gaeilge 2010 – 2030 de chuid Rialtas particular, that this will be achieved. The na hÉireann ar an tábhacht atá le húsáid na Irish Government’s 20-Year Strategy for Gaeilge taobh amuigh den chóras the Irish Language 2010 – 2030 stresses fhoirmiúil oideachais má tá forás agus rath the importance of using the Irish language le bheith i ndán di. Is mór a chuirfear le outside the formal education system if the heolas agus tuiscint ar an Ghaeilge a language is to grow and prosper. fhoghlaimítear nó a shealbhaítear sa Knowledge and appreciation of Irish that seomra ranga trína húsáid taobh amuigh is acquired or learned in the classroom den scoil i suíomhanna sóisialta. Cuireann will be greatly added to by use outside the an Straitéis 20 Bliain de chuid Rialtas na school in social settings. The Irish hÉireann an-bhéim ar ról criticiúil Government’s 20-Year Strategy reiterates shealbhú agus úsáid na Gaeilge ag daoine the critical role of acquisition and use by óga má tá an Ghaeilge le bláthú – “Má children and young people if Irish is to táthar le cultúr agus féiniúlacht don óige agus flourish – “Fostering the creation of youth a gcineálacha cuí Gaeilge a chothú, caithfear culture and identity, and their appropriate deiseanna a chur ar fáil le go n-úsáidfear an Irish language forms involves providing teanga go nádúrtha agus go gcruthófar opportunities for its natural use and creating gréasáin chainteoirí trí TFC”.5 ICT mediated networks of speakers”.5

4 Baker, C. (2003). Education as a site of language contact 5 Rialtas na hÉireann, Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, Leathanach 12 | Government of Ireland, 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, Page 12

Cuid 2: An Bunús le Part 2: The Basis for a hAghaidh Straitéise Strategy

Comhaontú Bhéal Feirste (Aoine an The Belfast (Good Friday) Chéasta)1998 Agreement 1998

2.1 Rinneadh an Comhaontú le formhuiniú na 2.1 The Agreement was made with the rannpháirtithe sna caibidlí uilepháirtí le endorsement of the participants in the plean a leagan amach faoi choinne multi-party negotiations to set out a plan cineachaidh i dTuaisceart Éireann (TÉ) ar for devolved government in Northern bhonn daingean uileghabhálach. I Snáithe a Ireland (NI) on a stable and inclusive basis. Trí den Chomhaontú (‘Cearta, Cosaintí In Strand Three of the Agreement agus Comhionannas Deiseanna’) tugadh na (‘Rights, Safeguards and Equality of gealltanais seo a leanas maidir le Opportunity’) the following commitments Ceisteanna Eacnamaíochta, Sóisialta agus were given in relation to ‘Economic Social Cultúrtha’: and Cultural Issues’: 3. Aithníonn na rannpháirtithe uilig an 3. All participants recognise the tábhacht atá le meas, tuiscint agus importance of respect, understanding caoinfhulaingt maidir le hilchineálacht and tolerance in relation to linguistic teanga, lena n-áirítear i dTuaisceart diversity, including in Northern Ireland, Éireann, an Ghaeilge, an Ultais agus the Irish language, Ulster-Scots and the teangacha na bpobal éagsúil eitneach, languages of the various ethnic ar cuid de shaibhreas cultúrtha oileán communities, all of which are part of na hÉireann iad uilig. the cultural wealth of the island of Ireland. 4. I gcomhthéacs breithniú gníomhach 4. In the context of active go síneoidh RA an Chairt Eorpach do consideration currently being given to Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh the UK signing the Council of Europe Chomhairle na hEorpa, is é a Charter for Regional or Minority dhéanfaidh Rialtas na Breataine, faoi Languages, the British Government will mar a bhaineann sé leis an Ghaeilge in particular in relation to the Irish go háirithe, nuair is cuí agus nuair is language, where appropriate and mian le daoine go ndéanfaidh siad where people so desire it: amhlaidh: . beart diongbháilte a dhéanamh . take resolute action to promote leis an teanga a chur chun cinn; the language; . úsáid na teanga a éascú agus a . facilitate and encourage the use of chur chun cinn ó bhéal agus i the language in speech and scríbhinn sa saol poiblí agus writing in public and private life príobháideach araon nuair a where there is appropriate bhíonn an ráchairt chuí ann; demand; . féachaint, nuair is féidir, le . seek to remove, where possible, constaicí a chuirfeadh restrictions which would beaguchtach ar nó a chuirfeadh in discourage or work against the éadan chothabháil nó forbairt na maintenance or development of teanga a shárú; the language; . riar ar idirchaidreamh le pobal na . make provision for liaising with

Gaeilge, ag cur a dtuairimí i the Irish language community, láthair údaráis phoiblí agus representing their views to public gearáin a fhiosrú; authorities and investigating complaints; . iallach reachtúil a chur ar an . place a statutory duty on the Roinn Oideachais leis an Department of Education to Ghaelscolaíocht a chur chun cinn encourage and facilitate Irish agus a éascú ar an dóigh chéanna medium education in line with a ndéantar i gcás an oideachais current provision for integrated imeasctha; education; . Fiosrú go práinneach leis na . explore urgently with the relevant húdaráis bhainteacha Briotanacha British authorities, and in co- agus i gcomhpháirt le húdaráis operation with the Irish chraoltóireachta na hÉireann, an broadcasting authorities, the scope fhéidearthacht a bhaineann le for achieving more widespread Teilifís na Gaeilge a chur ar fáil availability of Teilifis na Gaeilge in níos forleitheadaí i dTuaisceart Northern Ireland; Éireann; . dóigheanna níos éifeachtaí a . seek more effective ways to aimsiú le léiriúchán encourage and provide financial scannánaíochta agus teilifíse support for Irish language film and Gaeilge i dTuaisceart Éireann a television production in Northern spreagadh agus tacaíocht Ireland; and airgeadais a chur ar fáil dó; agus . páirtithe a spreagadh lena . encourage the parties to secure chomhaontú go gcomhlíonfaidh agreement that this commitment Tionól Nua an gealltanas seo ar will be sustained by a new dhóigh a gcuireann mianta agus Assembly in a way which takes íogaireachtaí an phobail san account of the desires and áireamh. sensitivities of the community. An Dearbhú Comhpháirteach 2003 The Joint Declaration 2003

2.2 I 2003, d’eisigh Rialtais na Breataine agus 2.2 In 2003 The British and Irish na hÉireann Dearbhú Comhpháirteach Governments released a Joint Declaration mar chuid den bheart le cineachadh a as part of a move towards re- athbhunú i dTÉ. Shainigh an dá Rialtas gur establishment of devolution in NI. Both mian leo na gealltanais a tugadh maidir leis Governments specified that they intended an Ghaeilge i gComhaontú Bhéal Feirste to deliver and expand on the 1998 a chomhlíonadh agus cur leo: commitments given to Irish within the 1998 Belfast Agreement: Leanfaidh Rialtas na Breataine dá The British Government will continue to ghealltanais uilig, de réir an discharge all its commitments under Chomhaontaithe, a bhaineann leis an the Agreement in respect of the Irish Ghaeilge a chomhlíonadh. Go sainiúil, i Language. Specifically in relation to dtaca leis an chraoltóireacht de, Broadcasting, the British Government déanfaidh Rialtas na Breataine na will take all the necessary steps to bearta uilig is gá le ciste a bhunú, secure the establishment as soon as chomh luath agus is féidir i ndiaidh dó possible following the receipt of the an cás deiridh gnó a fháil in Aibreán, final business case in April, of a fund

faoi choinne tacaíocht airgeadais do for financial support for Irish Language Léiriúchán Scannánaíochta agus Film and Television Production. . . . The Teilifíse Gaeilge…. Leanfaidh an dá two Governments will continue to work Rialtas de bheith ag obair leis na with the relevant regulators and rialtóirí agus na húdaráis broadcasting authorities to address the chraoltóireachta ábhartha le tabhairt technical and other barriers with a faoi na constaicí teicniúla agus eile view to increasing substantially the ionas go méadófar go suntasach reception of TG4 in Northern Ireland.6 glacadh TG4 i dTuaisceart Éireann.6 Comhaontú Chill Rìmhinn 2006 Saint Andrews Agreement 2006

2.3 Thóg Comhaontú Chill Rìmhinn 2006 ar 2.3 The St Andrews Agreement of 2006 built na gealltanais i gComhaontú Aoine an on the commitments in the 1998 Good Chéasta faoi Shnáithe a Trí ‘Cearta, Friday Agreement under the Strand Three Cosaintí agus Comhionannas Deiseanna’. ‘Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity’. 2.4 Rinne Comhaontú Chill Rìmhinn é seo 2.4 The St Andrews Agreement did this by tríd an mhéid seo a rá: stating that: Tabharfaidh Rialtas [na Breataine] The [British] Government will introduce isteach Acht Gaeilge ina léireofar taithí an Irish Language Act reflecting on the na Breataine Bige agus na hÉireann experience of Wales and Ireland and agus oibreoidh sé i gcomhpháirt leis an work with the incoming Executive to Fheidhmeannas atá le toghadh le enhance and protect the development forbairt na Gaeilge a fheabhsú agus a of the Irish language.7 chosaint.7 Acht Thuaisceart Éireann 1998 Northern Ireland Act 1998

2.5 I ndiaidh Chomhaontú Chill Rìmhinn 2006, 2.5 Following the 2006 Agreement at St rith Rialtas na Breataine reachtaíocht ag Andrews the British Government passed Westminister le hAcht TÉ 1998 a leasú. legislation at Westminster to amend the Áirítear in Alt 28D d’Acht 1998 an méid NI Act 1998. Section 28D of the 1998 Act seo a leanas: includes the following: (1) Glacfaidh an Coiste Feidhmeannais (1) The Executive Committee shall Straitéis chuige féin a leagfaidh amach adopt a Strategy setting out how it mar a bheartaíonn sé forbairt na proposes to enhance and protect the Gaeilge a fheabhsú agus a chosaint. development of the Irish language. Clár Rialtais 2011-2015 Programme For Government 2011-2015

2.6 Ina Chlár Rialtais 2011-15, a foilsíodh ar 2.6 In its Programme for Government 2011- 12 Márta 2012, d’aithin an Feidhmeannas 15, published on 12 March 2012, the an tábhacht atá le bunadh na háite Executive recognised the importance of tosaíochtaí a shocrú don am atá le teacht local people setting priorities for the

6 Joint Declaration by the British and Irish Governments, April 2003; Rights, Equality, Identity and Community, Paragraph 30 7 St Andrews Agreement, 2006; Annex B, Human Rights, Equality, Victims and Other Issues

agus an deis a thugann an cineachadh a future and seizing the opportunity offered thapú le todhchaí chomhroinnte níos fearr by devolution to build a shared and better a thógáil do gach duine. Daingnítear é seo future for all. This is reinforced under faoi Thosaíocht 4 ‘Pobal Láidir, Priority 4 ‘Building a Strong and Shared Comhroinnte a Chothú’ ina ndírítear, i Community’ which focuses among other measc nithe eile, ar chaidreamh a chothú things on building relationships between idir phobail agus buntáiste a bhreith ar communities and unlocking the potential acmhainn earnáil an chultúir mar ghléas i of the culture sector as an instrument for dtreo athrú dearfach. Áirítear leis fosta, positive change and includes a strategy for straitéis i leith na Gaeilge mar bhunchloch the Irish language as a key building block dhúshraithe leis an Tosaíocht seo a to deliver against this Priority. sholáthar. Cairt Eorpach do Theangacha European Charter for Regional or Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh Minority Languages

2.7 Is coinbhinsiún idirnáisiúnta an Chairt 2.7 The European Charter for Regional or Eorpach do Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Minority Languages (the Charter) is an Mionlaigh (an Chairt) arb aidhm di international convention designed to teangacha réigiúnacha agus mionlaigh a protect and promote regional and chosaint agus a chur chun cinn mar ghné minority languages as a threatened aspect d’oidhreacht chultúrtha na hEorpa atá faoi of Europe’s cultural heritage. For this bhagairt. Ar an ábhar seo, chomh maith le reason, as well as containing a non- halt neamh-leithcheala a bhaineann le discrimination clause that concerns the húsáid na dteangacha seo8, tá foráil ann i use of these languages8, it also provides leith bearta a thairgeann tacaíocht for measures that offer active support for ghníomhach dóibh. “Is ar an dóigh seo them. “Only in this way can such languages amháin ar féidir na teangacha seo a be compensated, where necessary, for chúiteamh, nuair is gá, as dálaí unfavourable conditions in the past and neamhfhabhracha san am atá caite agus iad preserved and developed as a living facet of a chaomhnú agus a fhorbairt mar ghné Europe’s cultural identity.”9 d’fhéiniúlacht chultúrtha na hEorpa.”9 2.8 Cuirtear chun cinn sa Chairt cur chuige 2.8 The Charter promotes a multi-cultural ilchultúrtha maidir leis na teangacha a approach to the languages it protects. Its chosnaítear inti. Is iad a cuid aidhmeanna, aims, which influence this Strategy, are to a bhfuil tionchar acu ar an Straitéis seo, create a culture where regional and cultúr a chruthú ina n-éiríonn le teangacha minority languages can flourish alongside réigiúnacha agus mionlaigh bheith beo i each other and along with the majority gcuideachta a chéile agus i gcuideachta language of the State. mhórtheangacha an Stáit. 2.9 Socraítear sa Chairt comhphrionsabail láir, 2.9 The Charter establishes a common core leagtha amach i gCuid II, a bhaineann le of principles, set out in Part II, which apply gach teanga réigiúnach nó mionlaigh. I to all regional or minority languages. Part gCuid III den chairt tá sraith d’fhorálacha III of the Charter contains a series of sainiúla a bhaineann le hionad teangacha specific provisions concerning the place of réigiúnacha nó mionlaigh i gcodanna regional or minority languages in the

8 European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages – Part II, Article 7(2) Objectives and Principles 9 European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages – Explanatory Note, Paragraph 10

éagsúla de shaol an phobail. Faoi Chuid III, various sectors of the life of the “tá de shaoirse ag stáit aonair, laistigh de community. Under Part III, “individual shrianta áirithe, cinneadh a dhéanamh faoi cé states are free, within certain limits, to acu de na forálacha a bhainfidh le gach determine which of these provisions will apply teanga a labhraítear taobh istigh dá to each of the languages spoken within their dteorainneacha”.10 frontiers”.10 2.10 Rinne Rialtas na Ríochta Aontaithe (RA) 2.10 The United Kingdom (UK) Government an Chairt a dhaingniú i Márta 2001 agus ratified the Charter in March 2001 and d’aithin oibleagáidí leis an Ghaeilge, a recognised obligations to protect and bhfuil stádas Chuid III aici a chosaint agus promote the Irish language, which has a chur chun cinn. Tá sé airteagal is tríocha Part III status. The UK Government has faoin Chairt roghnaithe ag Rialtas RA lena selected thirty-six articles under the chinntiú, a oiread agus is féidir ar bhonn Charter to ensure, as far as is reasonably réasúnta, go n-úsáidtear an Ghaeilge san possible, the use of the Irish language in oideachas agus sna meáin agus a húsáid a education and in the media and to permit cheadú i gcomhthéacsanna breithiúnacha its use in judicial and administrative agus riaracháin, sa saol eacnamaíochta contexts, economic and social life and agus sóisialta agus i ngníomhaíochtaí cultural activities. cultúrtha. 2.11 Feidhmíonn an Roinn Cultúir, Ealaíon agus 2.11 The Department of Culture, Arts and Fóillíochta (RCEF) mar chathaoirleach Leisure (DCAL) chairs and provides a agus cuireann rúnaireacht ar fáil do secretariat for the Interdepartmental Ghrúpa Idir-rannach um Fheidhmiú na Charter Implementation Group, which Cairte a mhaoirsíonn feidhmiú na Cairte oversees Charter implementation by ag na Ranna agus a chomhordaíonn Departments and coordinates input to ionchur i dtuairiscí tréimhseacha le periodical reports on progress with Comhairle na hEorpa ar dhul chun cinn an implementation to the Council of Europe. fheidhmithe le Comhairle na hEorpa. 2.12 Tomhaiseann Coiste Saineolaithe 2.12 Progress on implementation of the (COMEX) de chuid Chomhairle na Charter is measured every three years by hEorpa dul chun cinn ar fheidhmiú na a Committee of Experts (COMEX) from Cairte gach trí bliana. I ndiaidh a gcuairte i the Council of Europe. Following a visit in Meán Fómhair 2009, mhol an COMEX go September 2009, the COMEX ndéanann ndéanfadh údaráis RA tosaíocht recommended that the UK authorities as de “glacadh chuige féin agus feidhmiú polasaí a priority “adopt and implement a cuimsitheach Gaeilge, agus an dóigh is fearr comprehensive Irish language policy, ná trí reachtaíocht a rith”.11 preferably through the adoption of legislation”.11

10 European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages – Explanatory Note, Paragraph 22 11 Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers, Recommendation CM/RecChL(2010)4 of the Committee of Ministers on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages by the United Kingdom, 21 April 2010

Coinbhinsiún UNESCO Maidir le UNESCO Convention for the Caomhnú na Hoidhreachta Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultúrtha Doláimhsithe Cultural Heritage

2.13 Ina Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010- 2.13 In its 20-Year Strategy for the Irish 2030, leag Rialtas na hÉireann amach na Language 2010 – 2030, the Irish peirspictíochtaí idirnáisiúnta a bhí mar Government outlined the international thacaíocht ag comhthéacs polasaí a perspectives that supported the policy Straitéise. Baineann an sliocht seo a leanas context of its Strategy. The following ó Straitéis 2010-2030 de chuid Rialtas na extract from the Irish Government’s 2010 hÉireann leis an Straitéis seo agus d’imir -2030 Strategy applies to and has sé tionchar uirthi. influenced the approach of this Strategy. Aithnítear go hidirnáisiúnta an fiúntas The value of linguistic diversity is a bhaineann le héagsúlacht recognised internationally. Languages theangeolaíoch. Is iad teangacha na are humankind’s principal tools for príomhuirlisí atá ag an duine le interacting and for expressing ideas, hidirghníomhú a dhéanamh agus le emotions, knowledge, memories and smaointe, mothúcháin, eolas, cuimhní values. Languages are also primary agus luachanna a chur in iúl. Déanann vehicles of cultural expressions and teangacha nathanna cainte cultúrtha intangible cultural heritage, essential to agus oidhreacht theibí chultúrtha a the identity of individuals and groups. thabhairt leo freisin, ar nithe iad is croí The key role of language in the d’fhéiniúlacht an duine aonair agus expression and transmission of cultural d’fhéiniúlacht grúpaí. Tá ról heritage is recognised in the United tábhachtach teangacha ó thaobh léiriú Nations 2003 Convention for the agus tarchur oidhreachta cultúir de Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural aitheanta i gCoinbhinsiún NA maidir le Heritage. Caomhnú na hOidhreachta Cultúrtha Safeguarding languages such as Irish is Doláimhsithe. thus a crucial task in maintaining Caithfear, mar sin, teangacha cosúil cultural diversity worldwide. UNESCO12 leis an nGaeilge a chosaint chun reports that half of the 6,700 éagsúlacht chultúir a choinneáil ar fud languages spoken today are in danger an domhain. Tuairiscíonn UNESCO12 of disappearing before the century go bhfuil leath de na 6,700 teanga a ends, a process that can be slowed labhraítear faoi láthair i gcontúirt dul i only if urgent action is taken by léig roimh dheireadh an chéid, próiseas Governments and speaker nach féidir a mhoilliú ach le gníomh communities.13 UNESCO’s Endangered práinne ó Rialtas agus ó na pobail a Languages Programme mobilises labhraíonn na teangacha.13 Cothaíonn international cooperation to focus an Endangered Languages attention on this grave situation and to Programme de chuid UNESCO promote innovative solutions from comhoibriú ar bhonn idirnáisiúnta le communities, experts and authorities. haird a tharraingt ar an staid The most recent edition of UNESCO’s thromchúiseach sin agus le réiteach Atlas of the World’s Languages in nuálach a mholann pobail, saineolaithe Danger14 classifies Irish as “definitely

12 United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation 13 www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/endangered-languages/ 14 www.unesco.org/culture/languages-atlas/en/atlasmap.html

agus údaráis a chur chun cinn. Chuir endangered”. This status has since an t-eagrán is déanaí den Atlas of the been improved to “vulnerable”, in the World’s Languages in Danger light of information about the (UNESCO) 14 síos ar an nGaeilge mar measures taken by Government to theanga atá “definitely endangered”. support the language in recent years. Tá an stádas sin athraithe ó shin agus The Convention for the Safeguarding of feabhsaithe go “vulnerable” i the Intangible Cultural Heritage gcomhthéacs eolais faoi bhearta atá recognises the vital role of language in glactha ag an Rialtas le tacú leis an the expression and transmission of teanga le blianta beaga anuas. living heritage. All intangible cultural D’aithin an Coinbhinsiún maidir le heritage depends on language for its Caomhnú na hOidhreachta Cultúrtha day-to-day vitality and for being passed Doláimhsithe an ról fíorthábhachtach on to the next generation. In relation atá ag teanga ó thaobh oidhreacht to oral traditions, whether it is song, bheo a chur in iúl agus chun cinn. poetry or folklore, language is not only Braitheann oidhreacht cultúir theibí ar the vehicle that contains the cultural theanga ó thaobh a beochta laethúla heritage it is its very essence. As well agus lena cur ar aghaidh chuig an as analysing the situation of languages gcéad ghlúin eile. I gcás traidisiúin under pressure the world over, bhéil, lena n-áirítear amhráin, filíocht UNESCO has developed a framework agus béaloideas, ní amháin gurb í an for determining the vitality of a teanga a úsáidtear chun an oidhreacht language in order to assist chultúir a tharchur ach is í an teanga Governments and others in policy croílár na hoidhreachta sin. Chomh development, identification of needs maith le hanailís a dhéanamh ar staid and appropriate safeguarding teangacha atá faoi bhrú ar fud an measures. This framework15 based on domhain, tá forbairt déanta ag the following nine criteria, has also UNESCO ar chreat oibre le beocht informed the development of this teanga a thomhas le cuidiú le Rialtais Strategy. agus le dreamanna eile ó thaobh polasaí a fhorbairt, riachtanais agus bearta cosanta cuí a aithint. Tugadh aird ar an gcreat15 sin atá bunaithe ar na naoi gcritéar seo a leanas agus an Straitéis seo á forbairt.

15 UNESCO Ad Hoc Expert Group on Endangered Languages, Language Vitality and Endangerment (March 2003)

Intergenerational Absolute number language transmission of speakers

Community members’ attitudes Proportion of speakers towards their own language within the total population Language

Availability of materials Vitality Shifts in domains for language of language use education and literacy

Response to new Governmental and domains and media institutional language attitudes and policies, including official Type and quality status and use of documentation

Fíor 1 | Figure 1: UNESCO Language Vitality Framework

Cuid 3: Aidhmeanna, Part 3: Aims, Objectives Cupsóirí agus Torthaí and Outcomes

Aidhmeanna na Straitéise Aims of the Strategy

3.1 Chun ár ndícheall a dhéanamh Tosaíocht 4 3.1 In striving to realise and deliver upon the an Fheidhmeannais de Chlár Rialtais 2011- Executive’s Priority 4 of the Programme 2015 agus an fhealsúnacht atá leagtha for Government 2011-2015 and the amach sa Chairt Eorpach do Theangacha philosophy set out in the European Réigiúnacha agus Mionlaigh a bhaint amach Charter for Regional or Minority agus a sholáthar, is é aidhm na Straitéise Languages this Strategy will aim to: seo: . Tacú le sealbhú agus le foghlaim . Support quality and sustainable ardcháilíochta agus inbhuanaithe acquisition and learning of the Irish Ghaeilge. language. . Stádas agus infheictheacht na Gaeilge a . Enhance and protect the status and fheabhsú agus a chosaint. visibility of the Irish language. . Gréasáin agus pobail ardcháilíochta . Deliver quality and sustainable Irish agus inbhuanaithe Gaeilge a sholáthar. language networks and communities. . An Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ar . Promote the Irish language in a way dhóigh a chuirfidh le cothú pobal láidir, that will contribute towards building a comhroinnte. strong and shared community. Cuspóirí na Straitéise Objectives of the Strategy

3.2 Tacófar leis na ceithre aidhm trí roinnt 3.2 Each of the four aims will be supported by cuspóirí: a number of objectives: AIDHM 1: Tacú le sealbhú agus le AIM 1: Support quality and foghlaim ardcháilíochta sustainable acquisition and agus inbhuanaithe learning of the Irish Ghaeilge. language. CUSPÓIR 1: Líon na ndaoine atá ag OBJECTIVE 1: To increase the numbers sealbhú na Gaeilge tríd an of those acquiring the Irish Ghaelscolaíocht a mhéadú. language through Irish- medium education. CUSPÓIR 2: Líon na ndaoine atá ag OBJECTIVE 2: To increase the numbers foghlaim na Gaeilge i gcóras of those learning the Irish oideachais an Bhéarla a language in the English- mhéadú. medium education system. CUSPÓIR 3: Líon na ndaoine atá ag OBJECTIVE 3: To increase the numbers foghlaim na Gaeilge taobh of those learning the Irish amuigh den chóras language outside of formal fhoirmiúil oideachais a education. mhéadú.

CUSPÓIR 4: Tacú le méadú i líon na OBJECTIVE 4: To support an increase in bpáistí atá á dtógáil trí the numbers of children Ghaeilge. being reared through Irish. AIDHM 2: Stádas agus AIM 2: Enhance and protect the infheictheacht na Gaeilge status and visibility of the a fheabhsú agus a Irish language. chosaint CUSPÓIR 5: Na hoibleagáidí uilig a OBJECTIVE 5: To meet all obligations bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge towards the Irish language faoin Chairt Eorpach do under the European Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Charter for Regional or Mionlaigh a chomhlíonadh. Minority Languages. CUSPÓIR 6: Rochtain ar mheáin OBJECTIVE 6: To increase access to ardcháilíochta Ghaeilge a quality Irish language mhéadú. media. CUSPÓIR 7: Feasacht ar luach OBJECTIVE 7: To increase awareness of eacnamaíochta agus sóisialta the economic and social na Gaeilge a mhéadú. value of the Irish language. CUSPÓIR 8: Cosaint reachtaíochta a OBJECTIVE 8: To secure legislative ghnóthú don Ghaeilge. protection for the Irish language. AIDHM 3: Gréasáin agus pobail AIM 3: Deliver quality and ardcháilíochta agus sustainable Irish language inbhuanaithe Gaeilge a use networks and sholáthar. communities. CUSPÓIR 9: Pleananna agus tionscnaimh OBJECTIVE 9: To develop sustainable phobalbhunaithe, áitiúla, and quality local inbhuanaithe agus community-based Irish ardcháilíochta don Ghaeilge language plans and a fhorbairt. initiatives. CUSPÓIR 10: Deiseanna a chur ar fáil an OBJECTIVE 10: To provide opportunities Ghaeilge a úsáid don réimse to use Irish to as wide a is leithne daoine agus is range of people as possible féidir trí ghréasáin by encouraging family, theaghlaigh, shóisialta agus social and community- phobail a spreagadh. based language networks. CUSPÓIR 11: Tacú le méadú an líon OBJECTIVE 11: To support an increase in daoine a labhraíonn Gaeilge the number of daily ar bhonn laethúil. speakers of the Irish language.

AIDHM 4: An Ghaeilge a chur chun AIM 4: Promote the Irish language cinn ar dhóigh a chuirfidh in a way that will contribute le cothú pobal láidir, towards building a strong comhroinnte. and shared community. CUSPÓIR 12: Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an OBJECTIVE 12: To increase positive Ghaeilge a mhéadú i ngach attitudes to the Irish cuid den phobal. language throughout the community. CUSPÓIR 13: Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an OBJECTIVE 13: To increase positive Ghaeilge a mhéadú sa attitudes towards the Irish phobal Phrotastúnach, language in the Protestant Aontachtach, Dhílseach. Unionist Loyalist community. Torthaí Straitéiseacha Strategic Outcomes

3.3 Áireofar le príomhthorthaí fheidhmiú na 3.3 The main outcomes of the Straitéise seo: implementation of this Strategy will include: . líon méadaithe daoine ag foghlaim . increased numbers of those learning agus ag úsáid na Gaeilge sa chóras and using Irish in the formal education fhoirmiúil oideachais, trí mheán na system through the medium of Irish Gaeilge agus an Bhéarla araon; and the medium of English; . deiseanna feabhsaithe chun an . enhanced opportunities to learn and Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim agus a úsáid use Irish outside the formal education taobh amuigh den chóras fhoirmiúil system; oideachais; . líon méadaithe ag úsáid na Gaeilge . increased numbers using Irish on a ar bhonn rialta; regular basis; . líon méadaithe teaghlach ag úsáid . increased numbers of households using na Gaeilge; Irish; . eispéiris fheabhsaithe ar sheirbhísí . improved experiences of accessing poiblí a rochtain i nGaeilge trí public services in Irish through fheidhmiú cuimsitheach na Cairte comprehensive implementation of the Eorpaí do Theangacha Réigiúnacha European Charter for Regional or nó Mionlaigh; Minority Languages; . infheictheacht chuimsitheach . comprehensive visibility of the Irish Ghaeilge ar gach ardán de chuid na language on all media platforms and meán agus rochtain mhéadaithe ar increased access to more, quality Irish thuilleadh craoltóireacht seirbhís language public services broadcasting; phoiblí ardcháilíochta Ghaeilge; . deiseanna feabhsaithe do . improved opportunities for businesses ghnólachtaí a chuireann seirbhísí providing services through Irish; Gaeilge ar fáil; . níos mó tacaíochta do phobail agus . more support for quality and líonraí áitiúla ardcháilíochta, sustainable local Irish language inbhuanaithe úsáid na Gaeilge, lena communities and networks including n-áirítear ceantair ainmnithe designated Gaeltacht areas resulting in

Ghaeltachta agus foghlaim, úsáid improved learning, use and visibility of agus infheictheacht fheabhsaithe na the language; teanga dá bharr; . cosaint reachtaíochta do stádas na . legislative protection for the status of Gaeilge; agus the Irish language; and . dearcthaí níos dearfaí ar an . increased positive attitudes towards Ghaeilge, go háirithe i measc an the Irish language particularly among phobail Phrotastúnaigh, the Protestant Unionist Loyalist Aontachtaigh agus Dhílsigh agus, dá community resulting in improved thoradh sin, dearcthaí agus tuiscint cross-community attitudes and fheabhsaithe trasphobail. understanding.

Cuid 4: Réimsí Gnímh Part 4: Areas for Action

4.1 Leagtar amach seacht réimse gnímh sa 4.1 This Strategy sets out areas for action Straitéis seo faoi sheacht mbuntéama: under seven key themes: . Oideachas . Education . Tarchur na Gaeilge sa Teaghlach – . Family Transmission of the Irish Luath-Idirghabháil Language – Early Intervention . An Ghaeilge agus an Pobal . The Irish Language and the Community . Seirbhísí Poiblí . Public Services . Meáin agus Teicneolaíocht . Media and Technology . Reachtaíocht agus Stádas na Gaeilge . Legislation and the Status of the Irish Language . An Saol Eacnamaíochta . Economic Life 4.2 Pléitear na réimsí gnímh go mion sna 4.2 The areas for action are discussed in leathanaigh a leanann. Cuirfidh an méid a detail in the following pages. Delivery in sholáthrófar i ngach réimse le gnóthú each area will contribute towards the ceann amháin nó níos mó de chuspóirí na achievement of one or more of this Straitéise agus tá na cuspóirí aibhsithe ag Strategy’s objectives and the objectives tús gach réimse aonair gnímh. Tá ailíniú na are highlighted at the beginning of each n-aidhmeanna, na gcuspóirí agus na réimsí individual area for action. The alignment gnímh léirithe i bhFíor 2. of the aims, objectives and areas for action is shown in Figure 2.

AIDHMEANNA CUPSÓIRÍ RÉIMSÍ GNÍMH

Líon na ndaoine atá ag sealbhú na Gaeilge Oideachas tríd an Ghaelscolaíocht a mhéadú.

Líon na ndaoine atá ag foghlaim na Gaeilge i Oideachas Tacú le sealbhú gcóras oideachais an Bhéarla a mhéadú. agus le foghlaim ardcháilíochta agus inbhuanaithe Líon na ndaoine atá ag foghlaim na Gaeilge Oideachas; An Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeilge. taobh amuigh den chóras fhoirmiúil Pobal oideachais a mhéadú.

Seachadadh na Gaeilge sa Tacú le méadú i líon na bpáistí atá á dtógáil Teaghlach; An Ghaeilge agus an trí Ghaeilge. Pobal

Oideachas; An Ghaeilge agus an Na hoibleagáidí uilig a bhaineann leis an Pobal; Seirbhísí Poiblí; Meáin agus Ghaeilge faoin Chairt Eorpach do Teicneolaíocht; Reachtaíocht agus Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh a Stádas na Gaeilge; An Saol chomhlíonadh. Eacnamaíochta

Stádas agus Rochtain ar mheáin ardcháilíochta Ghaeilge a Meáin agus Teicneolaíocht; infheictheacht na mhéadú. Oideachas Gaeilge a fheabhsú agus a chosaint. An Saol Eacnamaíochta; Oideachas; Feasacht ar luach eacnamaíochta agus Seachadadh na Gaeilge sa sóisialta na Gaeilge a mhéadú. Teaghlach; An Ghaeilge agus an Pobal

Cosaint reachtaíochta a ghnóthú don Reachtaíocht agus Stádas na Ghaeilge. Gaeilge; Seirbhísí Poiblí

Pleananna agus tionscnaimh An Ghaeilge agus an Pobal; An Saol phobalbhunaithe, áitiúla, inbhuanaithe agus Eacnamaíochta ardcháilíochta don Ghaeilge a fhorbairt. Gréasáin agus Deiseanna a chur ar fáil an Ghaeilge a úsáid pobail An Ghaeilge agus an Pobal; don réimse is leithne daoine agus is féidir trí ardcháilíochta agus Seachadadh na Gaeilge sa ghréasáin theaghlaigh, shóisialta agus inbhuanaithe Teaghlach; Seirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge a sholáthar. phobail a spreagadh. Seachadadh na Gaeilge sa Tacú le méadú an líon daoine a labhraíonn Teaghlach; An Ghaeilge agus an Gaeilge ar bhonn laethúil. Pobal; Seirbhísí Poiblí

Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an Ghaeilge a An Ghaeilge agus an Pobal; An Ghaeilge a chur mhéadú i ngach cuid den phobal. Oideachas; Seirbhísí Poiblí chun cinn ar dhóigh a chuirfidh le cothú pobal láidir, Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an Ghaeilge a An Ghaeilge agus an Pobal; comhroinnte. mhéadú sa phobal Phrotastúnach, Oideachas Aontachtach, Dhílseach.

Fíor 2: Ailíniú Aidhmeanna, Cuspóirí agus Réimsí Gnímh 24

AIMS OBJECTIVES AREAS FOR ACTION

To increase the numbers of those acquiring the Irish language through Irish-medium Education education.

To increase the numbers of those learning the Irish language in the English-medium Education Support quality and education system. sustainable acquisition and learning of the Irish To increase the numbers of those learning Education; The Irish Language and language. the Irish language outside of formal the Community education.

Family Transmission of the Irish To support an increase in the numbers of Language; The Irish Language and children being reared through Irish. the Community

Education; The Irish Language and

To meet all obligations towards the Irish the Community; Public Services; language under the European Charter for Media & Technology; Legislation & Regional or Minority Languages. Status of the Irish Language; Economic Life Enhance and To increase access to quality Irish language protect the status Media & Technology; Education and visibility of the media. Irish language. Economic Life; Education; Family To increase awareness of the economic and Transmission of the Irish Language; social value of the Irish language. The Irish Language and the Community To secure legislative protection for the Irish Legislation & Status of the Irish language. Language; Public Services

To develop sustainable and quality local The Irish Language and the community-based Irish language plans and Community; Economic Life initiatives. Deliver quality and sustainable Irish To provide opportunities to use Irish to as The Irish Language and the language use wide a range of people as possible by Community; Family Transmission encouraging family, social and community- of the Irish Language; Public networks and communities. based language networks. Services

Family Transmission of the Irish To support an increase in the number of daily Language; The Irish Language and speakers of the Irish language. the Community; Public Services

The Irish Language and the To increase positive attitudes to the Irish Promote the Irish Community; Education; Public language throughout the community. language in a way Services that will contribute towards building a To increase positive attitudes towards the strong and shared The Irish Language and the Irish language in the Protestant Unionist community. Community; Education Loyalist community.

Figure 2: Alignment of Aims, Objectives and Areas for Action

Oideachas Education

CUSPÓIR 1: Líon na ndaoine atá ag sealbhú OBJECTIVE 1: To increase the numbers of na Gaeilge tríd an those acquiring the Irish Ghaelscolaíocht a mhéadú. language through Irish- medium education. CUSPÓIR 2: Líon na ndaoine atá ag foghlaim OBJECTIVE 2: To increase the numbers of na Gaeilge i gcóras oideachais those learning the Irish an Bhéarla a mhéadú. language in the English- medium education system. CUSPÓIR 3: Líon na ndaoine atá ag foghlaim OBJECTIVE 3: To increase the numbers of na Gaeilge taobh amuigh den those learning the Irish chóras fhoirmiúil oideachais a language outside of formal mhéadú. education. CUSPÓIR 5: Na hoibleagáidí uilig a OBJECTIVE 5: To meet all obligations bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge faoin towards the Irish language Chairt Eorpach do Theangacha under the European Charter Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh a for Regional or Minority chomhlíonadh. Languages. CUSPÓIR 6: Rochtain ar mheáin OBJECTIVE 6: To increase access to quality ardcháilíochta Ghaeilge a Irish language media. mhéadú. CUSPÓIR 7: Feasacht ar luach OBJECTIVE 7: To increase awareness of the eacnamaíochta agus sóisialta na economic and social value of Gaeilge a mhéadú. the Irish language. CUSPÓIR 12: Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an OBJECTIVE 12: To increase positive attitudes Ghaeilge a mhéadú i ngach cuid to the Irish language den phobal. throughout the community. CUSPÓIR 13: Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an OBJECTIVE 13: To increase positive attitudes Ghaeilge a mhéadú sa phobal towards the Irish language in Phrotastúnach, Aontachtach, the Protestant Unionist Dhílseach. Loyalist community.

An Ghaelscolaíocht (GS) Irish-Medium Education (IME)

4.3 Aithnítear sa Straitéis seo ról uathúil na 4.3 This Strategy recognises the unique role Gaelscolaíochta i gcur chun cinn na of Irish-medium education in the Gaeilge. Is gluaiseacht de chuid an phobail promotion of the Irish language. The Irish- í earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta, .i. is ón medium sector is a grassroots movement, phobal a tháinig an t-éileamh agus is í an i.e. demand has come from the public, and earnáil oideachais is gasta fás againn í. is our fastest growing education sector. Sainaithnítear i ndaonáireamh scoileanna The 2013/14 school census identifies the 2013/14 líon na ndaltaí atá cláraithe in number of pupils enrolled in the Irish- earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta mar 4,425 medium sector as 4,425 (3,594 primary (3,594 páiste bunscoile, lena n-áiritear iad school children, including those in nursery siúd in aonaid naíscolaíochta agus 831 units, and 831 pupils in post-primary). dalta iar-bhunscoile). Le deich mbliana Over the last 10 years, the number of anuas, tá méadú tagtha ar líon na bpáistí in children in funded Irish-medium education ionaid mhaoinithe ag leibhéal settings at primary and at post-primary bunscolaíochta agus iar-bhunscolaíochta ó level has risen from 2,856 (2004/05) to

2,856 (2004/05) go dtí 4,425 (2013/14). Tá 4,425 (2013/14). There are now 29 stand anois 29 Gaelscoil neamhspleách ann (28 alone Irish-medium schools (28 primary bunscoil agus 1 iar-bhunscoil) agus 9 n- and 1 post-primary) and 9 Irish-medium aonad Gaelscolaíochta atá faoi choimirce units attached to Catholic Maintained scoileanna Caitliceacha faoi Chothabháil (7 schools (7 primary and 2 post-primary). mbunscoil agus 2 iar-bhunscoil). Is é The amount of funding distributed to £13.3m an tsuim iomlán maoiniúcháin a Irish-medium schools under the formula dáileadh ar Ghaelscoileanna faoi na funding arrangements in the 2014/15 socruithe foirmle maoiniúcháin i mbliain financial year is £13.3m (funding for pupils airgeadais 2014/15 (níl maoiniú do dhaltaí in Irish-medium units is not included, as in aonaid Ghaelscolaíochta san áireamh the overall level of funding for these pupils san fhigiúr seo óir ní féidir maoiniú do na cannot be disaggregated from that of the daltaí seo a dhí-chomhbhailiú ó mhaoiniú host school). The Department of na scoile óstála). Leanfaidh an Roinn Education (DE) will continue to respond Oideachais (RO) de fhreagairt go dearfach positively to the demand for IME. don éileamh ar GS. 4.4 In 2009, d’fhoilsigh RO a Review of Irish- 4.4 In 2009, DE published its Review of Irish- Medium Education Report, arb aidhm dó a Medium Education Report, which aims to chinntiú go bhfuil tacaíocht iomlán, chuí ag ensure that Irish-medium education is fully an Ghaelscolaíocht mar bhunchuid den and appropriately supported as an integral chóras oideachais agus go gcuireann sí le part of the educational system and cothú todhchaí chomhroinnte do gach contributes to the building of a shared duine bunaithe ar an chomhionannas. Tá future for all based on equality. DE RO ag leanúint de na moltaí a bhaineann le continues to implement the hearnáil na Gaelscolaíochta a chur i recommendations relating to the Irish bhfeidhm ag céimeanna réamhscolaíochta, Medium Sector at pre-school, primary and bunscolaíochta agus iar-bhunscolaíochta. post primary stages. For example in Mar shampla, i dtaca leis an soláthar regard to pre-school provision, Irish- réamhscolaíochta de, tig le soláthraithe medium providers with sufficient children Gaelscolaíochta a bhfuil go leor páistí acu can now enter the funding programme an clár maoinithe a iontráil fiú má tá even where unfilled English-medium soláthar Béarla ar fáil sa cheantar chéanna provision is available in the same area. ach nár líonadh é. Mar sin de, tá tacaíocht Irish Medium pre-school provision is thus ag an soláthar réamhscolaíochta supported now in a manner equitable with Gaelscolaíochta ar dhóigh is comhionann English-medium provision. In addition to le soláthar Béarla. Lena chois sin, this, DE funds specific project work in maoiníonn RO obair shainiúil tionscadail i Irish Medium pre-school provision. soláthar réamhscolaíochta Gaeilge. 4.5 Is é is toradh don athbhreithniú seo 4.5 The Review has resulted in support for tacaíocht d’oideachasóirí agus d’acmhainní educators and educational resources and oideachais le GS a dhaingniú sa chóras in embedding IME in the education oideachais. Leithroinneadh tuilleadh system. Additional funding has been maoinithe le réimse tacaíochta a sholáthar allocated to provide a range of support do GS (curaclam, measúnacht agus for IM education (curriculum, assessment cáilíochtaí) le go gcinnteofar and qualifications) in order to help ensure comhionannas soláthair le hoideachas trí equality of provision with English medium mheán an Bhéarla. Tá socruithe education. Improved and more feabhsaithe agus níos cuimsithí ar siúl comprehensive arrangements are now in

anois maidir le haistriúcháin agus place in regard to translations and scrúduithe a dhéantar i nGaeilge. I dtaca le examinations taken in Irish. In regard to tacaíocht d’oideoirí Gaelscolaíochta de, i support for Irish Medium educators, ndiaidh an athbhreithnithe, cuirtear following the Review, funding continues to maoiniú ar fáil go fóill faoi choinne oiliúint be available for initial teacher education tosaigh múinteoirí d’ionaid GS, forbairt for IM settings, teachers’ continuing ghairmiúil leanúnach múinteoirí agus professional development and developing cúntóirí ranga agus oideoirí réamhscoile a classroom assistants and pre-school fhorbairt agus faoi choinne oiliúint Bord educators and Boards of Governors and Gobharnóirí agus ceannasaíochta. Leanann leadership training. DE continues to fund RO de Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) to (CnaG) a mhaoiniú leis an Ghaelscolaíocht encourage and promote Irish-medium a chur chun cinn. Baineann Education. The main functions and príomhfheidhmeanna agus activities of CnaG in carrying out its role príomhghníomhaíochtaí CnaG, agus í i relate to representation and advocacy, mbun a róil, le hionadaíocht agus ethos, raising standards, area based abhcóideacht, éiteas, caighdeáin a ardú, planning, building co-operation and pleanáil cheantarbhunaithe, comhoibriú a engaging with other sectors. chothú agus teagmháil le hearnálacha eile. 4.6 Soláthraíonn an Chomhairle Curaclaim, 4.6 The Council for the Curriculum, Scrúdúcháin agus Measúnachta (CCEA) Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) agus an tÁisaonad, atá maoinithe ag Foras and An tÁisaonad Lán-Ghaeilge, which is na Gaeilge agus atá lonnaithe i gColáiste funded by Foras na Gaeilge and based in Ollscoile Naomh Muire, réimse St Mary’s University College, provide a d’acmhainní seomra ranga don range of classroom resources for IM Ghaelscolaíocht. education. 4.7 Má tá an Ghaeilge le feabhsú, le cosaint 4.7 If the Irish language is to be further agus le forbairt a thuilleadh, is tábhachtach enhanced, protected and developed, it is go leanfaidh RO d’fheidhmiú na moltaí atá important that DE continues to in Review of Irish-Medium Education Report. implement the recommendations of the Tá beartaithe ag RO fosta aird chuí a Review of Irish-Medium Education Report. DE thabhairt ar na torthaí agus moltaí a also intends to take due account of the eascróidh as an Ghrúpa Chomhairleach emerging findings and recommendations in Aireachta ar an Iar-bhunscolaíocht Lán- the 2014 Ministerial Advisory Group on Ghaeilge 2014 ar an dóigh le hiar- Irish-medium Post-Primary Education on bhunscolaíocht Lán-Ghaeilge inmharthana, how to deliver viable and sustainable Irish- inbhuanaithe a sholáthar ina bhfuil medium post-primary education, which is ardcháilíocht, a fhreastalaíonn ar of high quality, meets the needs of the riachtanais na ndaltaí agus a spreagann pupils and commands the confidence of muinín tuismitheoirí. parents.

DEISEANNA UILE-ÉIREANN DO GS ALL IRELAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IME

4.8 Mar chuid den Comhairle Aireachta 4.8 As part of the North South Ministerial Thuaidh Theas, leanann Airí den Council, Ministers continue to work to chomhoibriú ar chúrsaí oideachais a broaden co-operation on education leathnú. related matters.

RÉAMHSCOLAÍOCHT GS IME PRE-SCHOOL

4.9 Ba é an chonclúid a bhí in The Review of 4.9 The Review of Irish-Medium Education Irish-Medium Education nár chóir gur concluded that an Irish-medium pre- ceanglas éigeantach é taithí i réamhscoil school experience should not be a Ghaeilge le haghaidh iontráil i mbunscoil compulsory requirement for entry into an Ghaeilge agus maítear i dtreoir RO nár Irish-medium primary school and DE chóir go gcuimseofaí i gcritéir iontrála guidance states that admissions criteria for Bunscoile freastal a bheith déanta ar Primary schools should not include réamhscoil ar leith nó ar chineál ar leith attendance at a particular pre-school or naíscoile. Bhreithnigh an tAthbhreithniú type of pre-school. The Review taighde idirnáisiúnta maidir le bun-nádúr considered international research with an tumoideachais. De réir na fianaise a regard to the essential nature of early cuireadh i láthair lucht an Atbhreithnithe, immersion. The evidence presented to the is dócha go bhfuil buntáistí teanga ag baint Review indicated that pre-school is likely leis an réamhscolaíocht ach nach bhfuil sí to be beneficial for linguistic outcomes, de dhíth maidir le sealbhú an dara teanga. but that it is not required for second Mar sin féin, ar aon dul le dualgas reachtúil language acquisition. Nevertheless, in line na Roinne, tugadh iarraidh, trí fhorbairtí a with the DE’s statutory duty, recent tharla le déanaí, sa Chlár Oideachas developments in the Pre-School Education Réamhscolaíochta freastal ar an éileamh Programme have sought to meet the méadaitheach ar an Ghaelscolaíocht ó na growing demand for Irish-medium blianta is luaithe. Cinnteoidh RO go education from the earliest years. DE will dtabharfar forbairtí a bhaineann leis an ensure that developments in relation to Chlár Oideachas Réamhscolaíochta chun the Pre-School Education Programme are tosaigh i gcomhthéacs a dualgais reachtúil. taken forward in the context of its statutory duty. 4.10 Leanfaidh RO de thacú le forbairt GS ag 4.10 DE will continue to support the an leibhéal réamhscolaíochta trí áiteanna a development of IME at pre-school level by chur ar fáil i réimse d’ionaid providing places in a range of pre-school réamhscolaíochta, tríd an mheicníocht is settings, through the most appropriate cuí i ndiaidh athstruchtúrú riarachán an mechanism following the restructuring of oideachais. education administration. 4.11 Mar atá leagtha amach in Learning to Learn 4.11 As set out in Learning to Learn – A – A Framework for Early Years Education and Framework for Early Years Education and Learning, cruthóidh RO Cnuasaigh Learning, DE will create Education Support Tacaíochta Oideachais agus d’fhéadfaí gur Clusters, one of which may be Irish- sainchnuasach Gaelscolaíochta ceann medium specific. The clusters will utilise amháin acu. Bainfidh na cnuasaigh úsáid as existing expertise and enable saineolas atá ar fail cheana agus cuirfidh collaboration and dissemination of best siad comhoibriú agus scaipeadh an dea- practice. chleachtais i bhfeidhm. 4.12 Mar chuidiú le dul i ngleic le constaicí ar 4.12 To help address barriers to learning, the an fhoghlaim, áirítear leis an Chreat Learning to Learn Framework includes Foghlaim chun Foghlama bearta arb aidhm actions aimed at refocusing the use of dóibh athfhócasú ar úsáid maoiniú extended schools funding to help identify scoileanna sínte le scileanna and address underdeveloped social, gannfhorbartha sóisialta, mothúchánacha emotional and communication skills, and

agus cumarsáide a shainaithint agus establishing criteria similar to those used tabhairt fúthu agus critéir a shocrú sa for extended schools for voluntary and Chlár Réamhscolaíochta atá cosúil leo siúd private settings in the Pre-School a úsáidtear i scoileanna sínte in ionaid Education Programme. This will include dheonacha agus phríobháideacha. Beidh Irish-medium pre-school settings which ionaid réamhscolaíochta Ghaeilge a meet the criteria. chomhlíonann na critéir san áireamh. 4.13 Áirítear le Foghlaim chun Foghlama fosta 4.13 Learning to Learn also includes an action beart chun taighde a choimisiúnú ar to commission research on the outcomes thorthaí réamhscolaíocht Ghaeilge faoi of pre-school Irish-medium education, as mar atá leagtha amach san athbhreithniú outlined in the review of Irish-medium ar an Ghaelscolaíocht. education. 4.14 Ní chuirfidh méid an tsoláthair sa 4.14 The capacity in English-medium pre- réamhscolaíocht Bhéarla aon bhac ar schooling in a particular area will not oscailt/forbairt/maoiniú réamhscoileanna deter the opening/development/financing GS. Tá sé seo ar aon dul le moladh 2 sa of IME pre-schools. This is in line with Review of Irish-Medium Education, ina recommendation 2 in the Review of Irish- maítear: Medium Education, which states: Ba chóir an polasaí ar sholáthar The existing policy on funded pre- maoinithe réamhscolaíochta a school provision should be revised in athbhreithniú as siocair na teaglama light of the unique combination of the uathúla atá ag éirí as an Chairt obligations arising from the European Eorpach do Theanga Réigiúnacha nó Charter for Regional or Minority Mionlaigh, buntáistí aitheanta an Languages, the recognised benefits of oideachais réamhscoile agus an pre-school education and the statutory dualgas reachtúil leis an duty to encourage and facilitate Irish- Ghaelscolaíocht a spreagadh agus a medium Education, to allow registered, éascú, le ligean do sholáthraithe Irish-medium providers with sufficient cláraithe Gaelscolaíochta a bhfuil go children to receive funding even where leor páistí acu, maoiniú a fháil, fiú in English-medium provision is available in áiteanna a bhfuil soláthar Béarla sa the area. cheantar chéanna.

BUNSCOILEANNA GS IME PRIMARY SCHOOLS

4.15 Leanfaidh RO de thacú le forbairt soláthar 4.15 DE will continue to support the bunscolaíocht Ghaeilge inbhuanaithe, development of sustainable, vibrant and bhríomhar agus ardcháilíochta mar high quality Irish-Medium primary school fhreagairt d’éileamh tuismitheoirí agus mar provision in response to parental demand bhunchuid de Phleananna and as an integral part of Area Based Ceantarbhunaithe. Is é tuairim RO gurb é Plans. DE considers that the main priority an phríomhthosaíocht ag earnáil na for the Irish-Medium sector is to have a Gaelscolaíochta fís shoiléir, clear, agreed vision for its work, based on chomhaontaithe a bheith acu dá gcuid a rationale which underpins the various oibre, bunaithe ar réasúnaíocht atá mar strands of provision. The key challenges bhonn agus taca faoi na réimsí éagsúla for the sector are: soláthair. Is iad croídhúshláin na hearnála: (i) caighdeáin a ardú a thuilleadh, tacú leis (i) to raise standards further and support na próisis feabhsúcháin atá ar siúl ag and maintain the improvement

eagrais aonair agus iad a chothabháil; journeys of individual organisations; agus and (ii) dea-chleachtas a scaipeadh ar fud na (ii) to disseminate good practice across hearnála, le buanseasmhacht the sector, in order to consolidate ardchaighdeán oibre a dhaingniú agus a and improve further the consistency fheabhsú a thuilleadh. of high quality work. 4.16 Tá tairseacha teidlíochta i leith maoiniú 4.16 Thresholds for entitlement to capital caipitil, a socraíodh i ndiaidh funding continue to be implemented in the Athbhreithniú Bain, á gcur i bhfeidhm go context of DE’s Sustainable Schools leanúnach i gcomhthéacs Pholasaí Policy, which were set following the Bain Scoileanna Inbhuanaithe RO.16 Review.16 4.17 Ba chóir réimse níos leithne de 4.17 A wider range of specialisms should be speisialtachtaí a chur chun cinn ina measc promoted amongst those training to teach siúd atá á n-oiliúint le bheith ag teagasc in in the Irish-medium primary sector and earnáil na bunscolaíochta Lán-Ghaeilge further efforts are required to address the agus tá tuilleadh iarrachtaí de dhíth le shortage of teaching materials. DE will tabhairt faoin ghanntanas ábhair teagaisc. continue to address both these issues, Leanfaidh RO de dhul i ngleic leis an dá which were included in the cheist seo a bhí san áireamh i moltaí recommendations of the IME Review. Athbhreithniú GS. Caithfear breithniú ar Consideration needs to be given to thacaíocht teanga a thabhairt do providing language-based support for mhúinteoirí mar chuid dá bhforbairt rialta teachers as part of their regular in-career ghairme. development.

CÓRAS IAR-BHUNSCOLAÍOCHTA GS IME POST-PRIMARY SYSTEM

4.18 Ba chóir machnamh ar shruthanna nó 4.18 Irish-medium streams or units should be aonaid Ghaelscolaíochta mar chéim considered as an intermediate step idirmheánach trínar féidir oideachas capable of providing a high quality ardcháilíochta a sholáthar trí mheán na education through the medium of Irish. Gaeilge. 4.19 Ar aon dul le bunscoileanna GS, 4.19 As with the IME primary schools, the breithneoidh RO torthaí an findings of the public consultation on the chomhairliúcháin phoiblí ar an Scéim Common Funding Scheme will be Choiteann Mhaoinithe lena chinntiú go considered by DE in order to ensure that bhfuil go leor de chiste sa Scéim le freastal there is adequate funding within the ar riachtanais iar-bhunscolaíocht GS. Scheme to meet IME post-primary needs. 4.20 Ar aon dul le bunscoileanna GS fosta, is gá 4.20 Also, as at primary level, the shortage of dul i ngleic leis an ghanntanas múinteoirí qualified teachers for some subjects at cáilithe ag leibhéal na hiar-bhunscolaíochta post-primary level needs to be addressed, i roinnt ábhar chomh maith leis an along with the inadequacy of teaching easnamh in ábhair theagaisc. Leanfaidh RO materials. DE will continue to address de dhul i ngleic leis an dá cheist seo, ar mó these issues, which are of greater concern an t-údar imní iad san iar-bhunscolaíocht at post-primary than at primary level, seachas an bhunscolaíocht, trí fheidhmiú through its implementation of the mholtaí Athbhreithniú GS. recommendations in the IME Review.

16 Schools for the Future: Funding, Strategy, Sharing – Report of the Independent Strategic Review of Education (December 2006)

4.21 Faoi láthair, tá ganntanas d’iarrthóirí 4.21 Currently there is a lack of availability of fóirsteanacha ann le riar ar an ghanntanas suitable candidates to meet the shortage múinteoirí cáilithe .i. daoine a bhfuil céim of qualified teachers, i.e. those with a acu in ábhar curaclaim agus leibhéal ard degree in a curricular subject and a high Gaeilge acu. Go dtí seo, leithdháileadh level of Irish. To date, eight places have ocht n-áit gach bliain ar an Teastas been allocated each year for the post Iarchéime Oideachais (PGCE) primary Irish-medium Postgraduate Gaelscolaíochta agus ba é an dúshlán go Certificate in Education (PGCE) and the dtí seo na háiteanna sin a líonadh le challenge has been to fill these places with hiarrthóirí fóirsteanacha, go háirithe in suitable candidates, especially in STEM ábhar STEM (eolaíocht, teicneolaíocht, (science, technology, engineering and innealtóireacht agus matamaitic). Ba chóir mathematics) subjects. Careers guidance do lucht gairmthreorach i scoileanna aird in schools should draw pupils’ attention to daltaí a dhíriú ar na buntáistí a bhaineann the benefit of maintaining their lena gcumas Gaeilge a chothú má théann competency in Irish should they follow siad i dtreo ábhair STEM. Mar réiteach the STEM route. As an interim solution, eatramhach, d’fhéadfaí múinteoirí a bhfuil teachers with a suitable standard of Irish caighdeán cuí Gaeilge acu a earcú ó earnáil could be recruited from the EM sector an Bhéarla agus iad a athoiliúint lena n- and upskilled to deliver their subject ábhar a theagasc trí mheán na Gaeilge. through the medium of Irish.

BREISOIDEACHAS AGUS GAIRMOILIÚINT FURTHER EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

4.22 Ba chóir creat polasaí a fhorbairt le tacú le 4.22 A policy framework should be developed breisoideachas (BO) trí mheán na Gaeilge to support Irish-medium further education d’fhonn taithí oiliúna ardcháilíochta a (FE) in order to provide a high-quality sholáthar do dhaoine óga agus lena training experience for young people and chinntiú go mbíonn conairí dóthanacha ar to ensure that adequate pathways are fáil le dul ar aghaidh chuig tuilleadh staidéir available to progress to further study and agus chuig fostaíocht. employment. 4.23 Ba chóir go n-éascódh an creat: 4.23 The framework should facilitate: . comhroinnt eolais agus saineolais idir . the sharing of knowledge and expertise soláthraithe reatha agus iad sin a between current providers and those bhféadfadh sé gur mhian leo BO trí who may wish to develop Irish- mheán na Gaeilge a fhorbairt amach medium FE in the future; anseo; . forbairt conairí oideachais agus . development of education and fostaíochta do dhaoine óga a fuair employment pathways for young oideachas trí mheán na Gaeilge; agus people educated through Irish; and . forbairt leanúnach agus tacaíocht do . ongoing development and support of mhúinteoirí, ceannasaithe agus Irish-medium teachers, leaders and foireann tacaíochta Gaelscolaíochta. support staff. 4.24 Ba chóir riar ar an fhoghlaim ghairme trí 4.24 Provision should be made for vocational mheán na Gaeilge, bunaithe ar éileamh learning through the medium of Irish, áitiúil. Ba chóir measúnú do based on local demand. Assessment for ghairmcháilíochtaí trí mheán na Gaeilge a vocational qualifications through the éascú fosta. medium of Irish should also be facilitated.

SAINRIACHTANAIS OIDEACHAIS (SRO) SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEN)

4.25 Tá gá le leanúint de bhearta le tabhairt 4.25 Action needs to continue to be taken to faoin ghá atá le forbairt soláthar address the need for the development of sainriachtanais oideachais sa special educational needs provision for Ghaelscolaíocht mar atá sonraithe i Irish-medium education as outlined in Moladh 17 de Thuarascáil Athbhreithniú Recommendation 17 of the Review of IME ar GS. Maidir leis an cheist seo, ag éirí as Report. In this regard, on foot of the an Athbhreithniú, tá roinnt beart Review, DE has funded a number of maoinithe ag RO le sainaithint, measúnú measures to strengthen SEN agus soláthar SRO a neartú i scoileanna identification, assessment and provision in GS. IME schools. 4.26 Tá bearta ar siúl cheana féin sa réimse seo 4.26 Action is already ongoing in this area trí thionscadail éagsúla forbairt acmhainne, through various capacity building projects lena n-áirítear: including: . pacáiste nasctha oiliúna do . a linked package of training for Special Chomhordaitheoirí Sainriachtanais Educational Needs Co-ordinators Oideachais (SENCOnna), príomhoidí (SENCOs), principals and senior agus lucht bainistíocht shinsearach gach management of all IME schools; scoil GS; . forbairt áiseanna litearthachta agus . development of sector specific uimhearthachta, a bhaineann go sainiúil curricular and assessment classroom leis an earnáil, le tacú le luath- aids relating to literacy and numeracy shainaithint agus luath-idirghabháil do to support early identification and pháistí a bhfuil SRO acu agus an oiliúint intervention for children with SEN and múinteoirí a ghabhann lena leithéid; associated teacher training; . soláthar oiliúint Makaton17 in earnáil na . the provision of Makaton17 training in bunscolaíochta agus foilsiú leagan the primary sector and publication of Ghaeilge Uladh de Project in Maths do an Ulster-Irish version of Project in gach scoil GS agus an oiliúint Maths for all IME schools and múinteoirí a ghabhann lena leithéid; associated teacher training; . forbairt Comhad Acmhainní do SRO . development of a Resource File for ina mbeidh straitéisí éifeachtacha maille SEN giving effective strategies with le samplaí ón earnáil GS. examples from the IME sector. An Ghaeilge in Earnáil an Bhéarla Irish in the English-Medium Sector

INTREOIR INTRODUCTION

4.27 San am atá caite, d’éirigh go breá le roinnt 4.27 In the past, there have been some very tionscnamh leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun successful initiatives to promote Irish in cinn i scoileanna Béarla. Ina measc seo bhí English-medium schools. These have teagasc na Gaeilge mar nuatheanga i included teaching Irish as a modern mbunscoileanna agus in iar-bhunscoileanna language in primary and post-primary agus, rud ar díol suntais é, teagasc na schools and notably the teaching of Irish in Gaeilge i meánscoileanna (scoileanna Protestant secondary (mainly grammar) gramadaí go príomha) Protastúnacha, go schools, often as enrichment courses in

17 The Makaton Charity: www.makaton.org

minic mar chúrsaí saibhriúcháin i mbliain year 13. This might usefully be taken up by 13. B’úsáideach dá rachadh réimse níos a wider range of schools and pitched at leithne de scoileanna ina bhun seo agus é different key stages, perhaps under the dírithe ar eochairchéimeanna éagsúla, faoi auspices of cross-community work. choimirce, b’fhéidir, obair thrasphobail.

BUNSCOILEANNA PRIMARY SCHOOLS

4.28 Riarann an Clár Teangacha Bunscoile ar 4.28 The Primary Languages Programme dhaltaí sa Bhonnchéim agus in delivers for pupils at Foundation and Key Eochairchéim 1. Faoi Mheán Fómhair Stage 1. As at September 2013, 91 schools 2013, bhí 91scoil ag foghlaim Gaeilge tríd are learning Irish through this Programme. an Chlár seo. Táthar ag freastal ar dhaltaí A 4-year pilot programme involving 10 Eochairchéim 2 trí chlár píolótach 4 bliana primary schools in the Derry/North West ina bhfuil 10 mbunscoil i gceantar area is facilitating pupils in Key Stage 2. If Dhoire/an Iar-Thuaiscirt páirteach. Má the pilot programme is successful, it éiríonn leis an chlár phíolótach, ba chóir é should be rolled out to all schools that a chur i bhfeidhm ar bhonn céimneach do are participating in the Primary Languages gach scoil atá ag glacadh páirte sa Chlár Programme. Teangacha Bunscoile. 4.29 Tá CCEA coimisiúnaithe ag RO le creat 4.29 DE has commissioned CCEA to develop a teagaisc a fhorbairt don Ghaeilge i teaching framework for Irish in EM scoileanna Béarla agus forbrófar oiliúint schools, and will develop training and agus acmhainní le tacú le scoileanna ar resources to support schools wishing to mian leo cur chuige comhordaithe a take a co-ordinated approach to the bheith acu i leith theagasc na Gaeilge i teaching of Irish in EM schools. scoileanna Béarla. 4.30 In 2012/13 rinne daltaí de chuid 6 de na 4.30 In 2012/13, 6 of the 772 English-medium 772 scoil Bhéarla measúnuithe schools made returns in respect of Key Eochairchéim 2 i nGaeilge Stage 2 assessments in Communication Chumarsáideach. Ghnóthaigh 86.8% de na Irish. 86.8% of these pupils achieved level daltaí seo leibhéal 4 nó os a chionn. 4 or above. 4.31 Leanfaidh RO de thacú le húsáid 4.31 DE will continue to support the use of múinteoirí peiripitéiteacha le foghlaim na peripatetic teachers to facilitate the Gaeilge i mbunscoileanna Béarla a éascú. learning of Irish in English-medium primary schools. 4.32 Is tábhachtach go bhfásann agus go 4.32 It is important that the teaching of Irish in bhforbraíonn teagasc na Gaeilge in earnáil the English-medium primary sector grows bhunscolaíochta an Bhéarla. Ba chóir an gá and develops. The need for an integrated atá le clár forbartha comhtháthaithe Irish language development programme Gaeilge i mbunscolaíocht an Bhéarla a for English-medium primary school bhreithniú. Thar ceann RO, rinne CCEA education should be considered. On staidéar féidearthachta lena fháil amach behalf of DE, CCEA has carried out a cén tsuim a bhí in ábhair agus tacaíocht feasibility study to determine the interest teagaisc agus foghlama a sholáthar i in providing teaching and learning gcomhthéacs clár den sórt seo agus tá a materials and support in the context of gcuid torthaí tuairiscithe acu leis an Roinn. such a programme and has reported findings to the Department.

IAR-BHUNSCOILEANNA POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS

4.33 Is tábhachtach go bhfásann agus go 4.33 It is important that the teaching of Irish in bhforbraíonn teagasc na Gaeilge in earnáil the English-medium post primary sector iar-bhunscolaíochta an Bhéarla. grows and develops. 4.34 In 2012/13 bhí 1,786 iontráil ar TGMO 4.34 In 2012/13 there were 1,786 entries for Gaeilge (Irish) ó 82 scoil Bhéarla. GCSE Irish from 76 English-medium schools. 4.35 In 2012/13 bhí 259 iontráil ar A-Leibhéal 4.35 In 2012/13, there were 259 entries for A Gaeilge ó 50 scoil Bhéarla. level Irish from 50 English-medium schools. Acmhainní Gaelscolaíochta Irish-Medium Resources

4.36 Tarraingíodh aird in IME Review Report ar 4.36 The IME Review Report highlighted the an ghá atá le réimse na n-acmhainní need to increase the range of available curaclaim Gaelscolaíochta atá ar fáil a Irish-medium curricular resources. DE has mhéadú. Tá RO ag fiosrú, i gcomhar le been exploring with the Irish Department Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna na of Education and Skills and the Irish- hÉireann agus earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta, medium sector, opportunities for co- deiseanna comhoibrithe le réimse agus operation in order to increase the range infhaighteacht áiseanna curaclaim and availability of Irish-medium curricular Gaelscolaíochta a mhéadú. resources. 4.37 Tá mórchlár tacaíochta ar siúl ag CCEA 4.37 CCEA has been engaged in a major thar ceann RO ó bhí Márta 2009 ann arb support programme on behalf of DE since aidhm dó comhionannas a bhaint amach March 2009 aimed at bringing greater idir an earnáil Ghaeilge agus an earnáil equity between Irish-medium and English- Bhéarla i dtéarmaí infhaighteacht ábhair medium sectors in terms of the availability thacaíochta churaclaim. of curriculum support materials. 4.38 Tacaíonn an clár seo de chuid CCEA le 4.38 This CCEA programme supports all Irish- gach scoil/aonad bunscolaíochta agus iar- medium primary and post primary bhunscolaíochta lán-Ghaeilge. Ó bhí 2009 schools/units. Since 2009 a wide range and ann, forbraíodh réimse leathan agus líon substantial volume of resources have been suntasach acmhainní, lena n-áirítear roinnt developed, including some involving ar bhonn chomhoibriú Thuaidh/Theas North/South and East/West collaboration. agus Thoir/Thiar. Bíonn CCEA i CCEA regularly engages with dteagmháil rialta le grúpaí ionadaíocha representative groups and practitioners to agus le cleachtóirí le tosaíochtaí agus cláir identify priorities and work programmes oibre a shainaithint agus léirítear an and outcomes have reflected this teagmháil seo i dtorthaí na hoibre. Go dtí engagement. To date, a wide range of seo, táirgeadh réimse leathan téacsleabhar textbooks and other curricular support agus ábhar tacaíochta eile ag leibhéal na material has been produced at post- hiar-bhunscolaíochta. Ag leibhéal na primary level. At primary level, there has bunscolaíochta, táthar ag bogadh dé réir a been a gradual move away from translated chéile ó acmhainní aistrithe agus and adapted resources to more bespoke oiriúnaithe go dtí acmhainní saincheaptha resources developed specifically for the a fhorbraítear go sonrach don earnáil agus sector, some of which are accompanied imeachtaí oiliúna ag gabháil le cuid acu. by training events. A number of on-line

Forbraíodh roinnt acmhainní interactive resources have been idirghníomhacha ar líne le dhá bhliain developed over the last two years. CCEA anuas. Thug CCEA tacaíocht fosta has also supported the development of d’fhorbairt Chlár Luathléitheoireachta na the sector’s Early Reading Programme in hEarnála i gcomhpháirt leis an Áisaonad i collaboration with An tÁisaonad at St. gColáiste Ollscoile Naomh Muire, Béal Mary’s University College, Belfast. Feirste. Forbraíodh fosta acmhainní le tacú Resources have also been developed in le SRO, ag leibhéal na hiar- support of SEN, particularly at post- bhunscolaíochta go háirithe. primary level. Oideachas Tríú Leibhéal Third-Level Education

4.39 Ba chóir machnamh ar thacaíocht 4.39 Expanded support should be considered mhéadaithe lena chinntiú go mbaineann to ensure that an appropriate number of líon cuí múinteoirí cáilíochtaí amach le riar teachers qualify to meet the demands of ar éilimh earnáil GS agus teagasc na the IME sector and the teaching of Irish in Gaeilge i scoileanna Béarla. D’fhéadfaí go English-medium schools. This could n-áireofaí leis seo: include: . dreasachtaí a thabhairt do mhic . providing students with incentives to léinn lena spreagadh chun encourage selection of degrees / céimeanna/cúrsaí a roghnú a courses that would benefit the IME bheadh le leas earnáil GS agus sector and teaching of Irish as a teagasc na Gaeilge mar ábhar. subject. . go leor ama agus acmhainní a chur . making adequate time and resources ar fáil do mhic léinn oideachais lena available for student teachers to líofacht agus cruinneas Gaeilge a develop and maintain their fluency and fhorbairt agus a choinneáil agus le accuracy in the Irish language and also haird a dhíriú ar an riachtanas to highlight the on-going need for this leanúnach atá leis seo i bhForbairt in Continuing Professional Ghairmiúil Leanúnach (CPD) do Development (CPD) for teachers in mhúinteoirí Gaelscoileanna. Irish-medium schools. 4.40 Caithfear freagairt chuí don éileamh ar 4.40 An appropriate response to demand for oideachas tríú leibhéal trí mheán na third level education through the medium Gaeilge a chinntiú. Is den ríthábhacht cláir of Irish needs to be ensured. Irish Ghaeilge d’aosaigh, cúrsaí Gaeilge idir language adult programmes, Irish full time lánaimseartha agus pháirtaimseartha a and part time courses in keeping with chuireann leis na riachtanais a bhaineann requirements for language development le forbairt teanga agus riachtanais an and the requirements of the job market mhargaidh shaothair agus ba chóir leanúint are crucial and should continue to be dá gcur ar fáil tríd an oideachas tríú provided via third-level education (e.g. the leibhéal (m.sh. Roinn na Gaeilge agus Irish Language Department and the Celtic Roinn an Léinn Cheiltigh in Ollscoil Uladh Studies Department in the University of agus Ollscoil na Banríona). Ba chóir cláir Ulster and Queens University). Such agus cúrsaí den chineál seo a dhreasú le programmes and courses should be mic léinn a bhfuil cumais acu a bheadh le incentivised to attract students with leas phobal na Gaeilge, atá ag méadú leis, a competences that would be of benefit to a mhealladh. growing Irish language community.

Úsáid Taobh Amuigh den Scoil Out of School Usage

4.41 D’ainneoin an-tábhacht a bheith leis an 4.41 While the formal education system is chóras fhoirmiúil oideachais le forbairt na critical to enhance and protect the Gaeilge a fheabhsú agus a chosaint, is den development of the Irish language, youth riachtanas soláthar óige taobh amuigh den provision outside of the classroom is seomra ranga má táthar leis an Ghaeilge a essential to the revitalisation of the Irish athbheochan. Moltar i Straitéis 20 Bliain language. The Irish Government’s 20-Year don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 de chuid Rialtas Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 na hÉireann, “[gurb] é an tátal a bhaintear suggests that, “the critical need to give life to as iarrachtaí athneartaithe teangacha ar fud the Irish language outside the classroom for an domhain go bhfuil sé thar a bheith the young people who study it in the formal riachtanach beocht a chur sa Ghaeilge education system is a widespread conclusion lasmuigh den seomra ranga i gcás na ndaoine of language revitalisation efforts throughout óga atá á foghlaim sa chóras oideachais the world”. foirmiúil”. 4.42 Cuireann tionscnaimh feasachta Ghaeilge 4.42 Irish language awareness initiatives and agus cúrsaí dírithe ar dhaoine nach bhfuil courses directed at non-Irish speakers or aon Ghaeilge acu nó daoine atá ar bheagán those with a little Irish will also contribute Gaeilge, cuireann siad le feabhsú, cosaint to realising the enhancement, protection agus forbairt na teanga. Sampla de seo é and development of the language. An feachtas RCEF Líofa, a seoladh i Meán example is DCAL’s Líofa campaign, Fómhair 2011, arb aidhm dó daoine launched in September 2011, which aims gealltanas a thabhairt go mbeidh Gaeilge to get people to pledge to become fluent líofa acu. in the Irish Language. 4.43 De réir an Athbhreithnithe ar an 4.43 Under the IME Review, DE encourages Ghaelscolaíocht, spreagann RO agus and supports informal opportunities for cuireann sí chun cinn deiseanna learning through the medium of Irish in neamhfhoirmiúla foghlaim trí mheán an the youth sector. Education and Library Gaeilge san earnáil óige. Faoi láthair, Boards’ Youth Services and the Youth maidir le Seirbhísí Óige na mBord Council for Northern Ireland currently Oideachais agus Leabharlann agus promote and encourage Irish medium Comhairle Óige Thuaisceart Éireann, youth work through access to general cuireann siad chun cinn obair don óige trí funding streams and targeted support. mheán na Gaeilge trí rochtain ar shruthanna ginearálta maoiniúcháin agus tacaíocht dhírithe. 4.44 Ba chóir d’earnáil an oideachais leanúint 4.44 The education sector should continue to dá cuid oibre i gcomhpháirt le work in partnership with relevant agencies gníomhaireachtaí ábhartha amhail Foras na such as Foras na Gaeilge and local youth Gaeilge agus le cumainn áitiúla óige le clubs to foster the development of Irish forbairt seirbhísí óige Gaeilge do dhaltaí language youth services for IME pupils. GS a chothú. Tá ról ríthábhachtach ag Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta has a Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta agus crucial role to play and could prove to be d’fhéadfaí droichead tairbheach a a beneficial bridge between the education dhéanamh di idir earnáil an oideachais sector and the Irish language youth sector. agus earnáil óige na Gaeilge. Leagtar DE’s policy for youth work in education, amach i mbeartas RO i leith obair óige san Priorities for Youth 16 sets out

oideachas, Priorities for Youth 16, socruithe arrangements for the planning and le seirbhísí óige a phleanáil agus a delivery of youth services funded by DE sheachadadh, arna maoiniú ag RO, lena n- including recognition of the need to áirítear aitheantas don ghá atá le encourage and support informal deiseanna foghlama neamhfhoirmiúla trí opportunities for learning through the mheán na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn agus medium of Irish. A Regional Advisory tacú leo. Bunaíodh Grúpa Comhairleach Group has been established to provide Réigiúnach le comhairle a thabhairt do advice to Education and Library Boards Bhoird Oideachais agus Leabharlann agus and the Youth Council for Northern do Chomhairle Óige Thuaisceart Éireann Ireland to inform the development of a le bonn eolais a chur faoi fhorbairt creat framework for delivery of regional youth soláthar seirbhísí óige réigiúnacha. Tá services. The views of the Irish medium ionadaíocht ag tuairimí na hearnála óige youth sector are represented on the lán-Ghaeilge ar an Ghrúpa. Tugann na Group. These developments offer an forbairtí seo deis níos fearr tábhacht enhanced opportunity to consider the ghréasáin úsáid na Gaeilge don aos óg a importance of Irish language use networks bhreithniú, go háirithe mar thaca faoin for youth especially as a support for tumoideachas. immersion education. 4.45 Buntosaíocht ag ceann amháin de 6 4.45 The importance of children and young cheanneagraíocht Fhoras na Gaeilge an people acquiring and using the Irish tábhacht atá le páistí agus daoine óga language is a key strategic priority of one bheith ag sealbhú agus ag úsáid na Gaeilge. of Foras na Gaeilge’s 6 lead organisations. Díríonn an eagraíocht seo ar dheiseanna This organisation has a focus on agus ar fheasacht le húsáid na Gaeilge i enhancing, promoting and developing Irish measc daoine óga a fheabhsú, a chur chun language use opportunities and awareness cinn agus a fhorbairt. Spreagann sé fosta among the young. It also encourages páistí agus daoine óga lena gcuid Gaeilge a children and young people to improve fheabhsú trí pháirt a ghlacadh i ngréasáin their Irish by participating in relevant ábhartha óige. youth networks. 4.46 Leanfar d’úsáid coláistí samhraidh 4.46 The Gaeltacht-based summer colleges will Gaeltachta mar dhóigh éifeachtach leis an continue to be used as an effective way to Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim agus a úsáid agus learn and use the Irish language and young spreagfar daoine óga le cuairt a thabhairt people will be encouraged to visit the ar an Ghaeltacht, áit a dtig leo an Ghaeilge Gaeltacht where they can use and develop atá acu a úsáid agus a fhorbairt. their existing Irish language. Scoláireachtaí Scholarships

4.47 Ionas go dtacófar le haidhm oideachais na 4.47 In support of the educational aim of this Straitéise seo, ba chóir go méadófaí líon Strategy there should be an increase in na ndámhachtainí faoi Scéim Sparánachtaí the number of awards under the Gaeltachta na Roinne Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure’s Fóillíochta, ar scéim scoláireachtaí é dóibh Gaeltacht Bursary Scheme, which is a siúd as ceantair faoi mhíbhuntáiste le scholarship scheme for those from freastal ar chúrsaí Gaeltachta. disadvantaged areas to attend courses in the Gaeltacht.

Foghlaim Aosach trí Ghaeilge Adult Learning through Irish

4.48 Tabharfar tacaíocht bunaithe ar an éileamh 4.48 Support will be provided based on do theagasc daoine fásta ar chúrsaí demand for the teaching of adults at part- páirtaimseartha trí mheán na Gaeilge. time courses through the medium of Irish. Beidh gá le struchtúr tacaíochta dóibh siúd A support structure will be necessary for a chuireann ranganna ar fáil trí mheán na those who provide classes through the Gaeilge d’aosaigh le cáilíocht an tsoláthair medium of Irish for adults to ensure a dhearbhú agus le tacú le gnóthachtáil quality of provision and to support the foghlaimeoirí. achievement of learners. Foclóirí Dictionaries

4.49 Ba chóir d’Fhoras na Gaeilge a chinntiú go 4.49 Foras na Gaeilge should ensure that up- bhforbrófar agus go bhfoilseofar foclóirí to-date dictionaries, both English-Irish and atá cothrom le dáta, idir Béarla-Gaeilge Irish-English are developed and published agus Gaeilge-Béarla, agus athbhreithniú with provision for regular review. rialta san áireamh. Ba chóir fosta foclóirí Concise, shorter dictionaries should also achoimre, gearra a fhorbairt. Ba chóir na be developed. The dictionaries should be foclóirí a fhoilsiú i bhformáid leictreonach, published in electronic format, using the trí úsáid na méan úr sóisialta nuair is gá new social media where appropriate, and chomh maith lena gcur i gcló. in print. Straitéis Foghlama RCEF DCAL Learning Strategy

4.50 Is é bunaidhm Straitéis Foghlama na 4.50 The key aim of the Department of Roinne Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta, a Culture, Arts and Leisure’s Learning foilsíodh in 2009, cur leis agus tacaíocht a Strategy, published in 2009, is to thabhairt don chlár oibre cruthaitheachta contribute to and support the creativity agus foghlaim ar feadh an tsaoil. Buntéama and lifelong learning agenda. Lifelong de chuid obair Fhoras na Gaeilge í an learning is a key theme of the work of fhoghlaim ar feadh an tsaoil agus cuirfidh sí Foras na Gaeilge and will contribute to le haidhmeanna agus cuspóirí na Straitéise delivering the aims and objectives of this seo a sholáthar. Tógann an Straitéis Strategy. The Learning Strategy builds on Foghlama ar obair ar chuir an Chigireacht the work begun by the Education and Oideachais agus Oiliúna tús léi in 2002 Training Inspectorate in 2002 and taken agus a thug RCEF agus a cuid foras agus forward by DCAL and its arms length gníomhaireachtaí ar neamhthuilleamaí, bodies and agencies such as Foras na amhail Foras na Gaeilge, chun tosaigh. Gaeilge. 4.51 Tríd an Straitéis Foghlama, cuirtear creat 4.51 The Learning Strategy provides a ar fáil d’Fhoras na Gaeilge le deiseanna framework for Foras na Gaeilge to review foghlama ardcháilíochta a athbhreithniú and develop quality learning opportunities agus a fhorbairt a bhaineann lena théarmaí relating to its remit to complement the tagartha le soláthar na scoileanna, na provision of schools, colleges, universities gcoláistí agus na n-ollscoileanna a and community organisations. Foras na chomhlánú. Aithneoidh Foras na Gaeilge Gaeilge will identify opportunities to deiseanna le cur le soláthar Straitéis contribute to the delivery of DCAL’s Foghlama RCEF. Learning Strategy.

An tOideachas sa Chairt Eorpach Education in the European Charter do Theangacha Mionlaigh nó for Minority or Indigenous Dúchasacha Languages

4.52 In 2001, dhaingnigh Rialtas RA An Chairt 4.52 In 2001, the UK Government ratified the Eorpach do Theangacha Mionlaigh nó European Charter for Minority or Dúchasacha agus, faoi Chuid III, Indigenous Languages and, under Part III, chomhaontaigh siad naoi mbeart a agreed nine measures regarding the use of bhaineann le húsáid na Gaeilge i gcúrsaí the Irish language in education. The oideachais. Bhí tionchar ag na naoi mbeart content of this Strategy’s education area seo, lena n-áirítear soláthar oideachais for action has been influenced by these réamhscoile, bunscoile, iar-bhunscoile, nine measures which include the provision teicniúil, gairm-, breis- agus ardoideachais i of pre-school, primary, secondary, nGaeilge. Cumhdaíonn na bearta seo technical or vocational, higher, and adult oiliúint múinteoirí fosta. and continuing education in Irish. The measures also cover teacher training.

Seachadadh na Teanga sa Teaghlach Family Transmission of the Irish – Idirghabháil Luath Language – Early Intervention

CUSPÓIR 4: Tacú le méadú i líon na bpáistí OBJECTIVE 4: To support an increase in the atá á dtógáil trí Ghaeilge. numbers of children being reared through Irish. CUSPÓIR 7: Feasacht ar luach OBJECTIVE 7: To increase awareness of the eacnamaíochta agus sóisialta na economic and social value of Gaeilge a mhéadú. the Irish language. CUSPÓIR 10: Deiseanna a chur ar fáil an OBJECTIVE 10: To provide opportunities to use Ghaeilge a úsáid don réimse is Irish to as wide a range of leithne daoine agus is féidir trí people as possible by ghréasáin theaghlaigh, encouraging family, social and shóisialta agus phobail a community-based language spreagadh. networks. CUSPÓIR 11: Tacú le méadú an líon daoine a OBJECTIVE 11: To support an increase in the labhraíonn Gaeilge ar bhonn number of daily speakers of the laethúil. Irish language.

4.53 Ar fud an domhain, táthar ag aithint, níos 4.53 Throughout the world, language mó ná riamh, gur de chroí na ceiste transmission within the family is seachadadh teanga agus gur gá é a fhiosrú increasingly being recognised as a key má tá teangacha neamhfhorleathana ar nós issue which needs to be explored if lesser- na Gaeilge le teacht slán. Is gné used languages such as Irish are to survive. thábhachtach é seachadadh teanga sa Language transmission in the home is a bhaile sa phróiseas pleanála teanga agus is crucial element in the language planning bunchloch dhúshraithe é sna hiarrachtaí le process and a vital building block in the líon na gcainteoirí líofa Gaeilge a efforts to increase the number of fluent mhéadú.18 Irish speakers.18 4.54 Bíonn comhairle agus treoir de dhíth ar 4.54 Families where parents speak Irish need theaghlaigh ina labhraíonn na tuismitheoirí advice and guidance on how to raise their Gaeilge ar an dóigh lena gcuid páistí a children as bilinguals, especially if only one thógáil go dátheangach, go háirithe mura parent speaks the language. The bhfuil an teanga ach ag duine amháin. Ba experience of Ireland, Wales and Scotland chóir breathnú ar thaithí na hÉireann, na should be drawn on to inform the use of Breataine Bige agus na hAlban le heolas a Irish in the family setting. sholáthar ar úsáid na Gaeilge sa teaghlach. 4.55 Ba chóir go mbeadh cur amach ag 4.55 Parents who speak Irish should be made tuismitheoirí ar na buntáistí aware of the economic, employment and eacnamaíochta, fostaíochta agus oideachais educational advantages of speaking Irish to a bhaineann le Gaeilge a labhairt lena gcuid their children. páistí. 4.56 Caithfear bearta a dhéanamh le 4.56 Steps need to be taken to encourage Irish tuismitheoirí a bhfuil Gaeilge acu a speaking parents to speak Irish to their

18 Rialtas na hÉireann, Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge, Leathanach 21 | Government of Ireland, 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, Page 21

spreagadh chun Gaeilge a labhairt lena children including: gcuid páistí, lena n-áirítear: . feasacht a ardú i measc lucht déanta . raising awareness amongst policy polasaithe, fostaithe earnáil phoiblí, makers, public sector employees, tuismitheoirí, daoine atá ag dúil le parents, prospective parents, and the bheith ina dtuismitheoirí agus an public at large of the advantages of phobail i gcoitinne faoi bhuntáistí an bilingualism. For example providing dátheangachais. Mar shampla, cúrsaí a courses for parents of ‘immersion’ chur ar fáil do thuismitheoirí páistí children and of those children who are ‘tumoideachais’ agus páistí atá ag in an Irish language learning gabháil do chlár foghlama Gaeilge ar programme at school; scoil; . teachtaireacht bhuntáistí an . mainstreaming the message of the dátheangachais a phríomhshruthú in advantages of bilingualism into the obair gach seirbhís bhainteach phoiblí, work of all relevant public services for mar shampla, na seirbhísí sláinte agus example the health and social services sóisialta a thugann comhairle do that provide advice to new parents; thuismitheoirí úra; . a chinntiú go bhfuil foireann dea-olite, . ensuring the availability of well trained dea-cháilithe ar fáil d’ionaid cúram agus and qualified staff for the Irish ‘tumoideachas’ luathbhlianta; ‘immersion’ early years’ care and education settings; . cur chuige ceantarbhunaithe a . developing an area-based approach fhorbairt maidir leis na ceantair sin ina focussing on those areas in which Irish bhfuil pobail Ghaeilge nó ina bhfuil siad language communities exist or are á bhforbairt a thacódh le seachadadh being developed that would support na Gaeilge sa teaghlach. Mar shampla, the family transmission of the Irish rochtain réamhscoile ar sheirbhísí language. For example, pre-school cúram leanaí trí mheán na Gaeilge sna access to childcare services through ceantair sin ina bhfuil pobail a the medium of Irish in those areas úsáideann Gaeilge bunaithe nó ag fás; where the communities who use Irish exist or are growing; . tacú le hathrú patrúin teanga teaghlaigh . supporting the changing of language ina labhraíonn tuismitheoir amháin patterns of families where one parent Gaeilge, sa dóigh go méadófar líon na speaks Irish, in order to increase the bpáistí a labhraíonn idir Ghaeilge agus number of children who speak both Bhéarla sa bhaile; Irish and English in the home; . scéimeanna a bhunú le cuidiú nó le . establishing schemes to help or tacú le teaghlaigh a labhraíonn Gaeilge support families who speak or wish to sa bhaile nó ar mian leo Gaeilge a speak Irish at home including schemes labhairt ann, lena n-áirítear scéimeanna where either only one parent or no nuair nach bhfuil Gaeilge ach ag parents speak Irish at home; tuismitheoir amháin sa bhaile nó nach bhfuil Gaeilge ag tuismitheoir ar bith; . níos mó úsáide a bhaint as meáin nua . making more use of new social media shóisialta le feasacht a ardú agus le to increase awareness and ease of rochtain a éascú ar na hábhair agus na access to all the material and hacmhainní uilig a bhaineann leis an resources associated with the Irish Ghaeilge; language;

. leanúint de sholáthar, trí Fhoras na . continuing to provide, through Foras Gaeilge, Scéim na nOifigeach Gaeilge; na Gaeilge, the Irish Language Officers Scheme; . tuilleadh taighde a dhéanamh ar . carrying out further research into cheisteanna faoi sheachadadh na teanga issues around the transmission of sa bhaile; m.sh. na fáthanna a dtógann language in the home; e.g. why some roinnt cainteoirí Gaeilge a gcuid páistí Irish speakers bring up their children leis an teanga ach go bhfuil go leor eile with the language but many do not. nach dtógann. 4.57 Ba chóir cúrsaí foghlamtha teanga a 4.57 Language learning courses should be fhorbairt le riar ar thuismitheoirí atá ag developed to facilitate parents in tacú le foghlaim a gcuid páistí sa GS. supporting their child’s learning in IME. Tugann Clár na Scoileanna Sínte tacaíocht The Extended Schools Programme do na scoileanna siúd, trí chnuasghrúpaí provides support for those schools, áitiúla na Scoileanna Sínte ina mbíonn siad through the local Extended School ag feidhmiú, le cláir a sholáthar a dhíríonn clusters in which they operate, to deliver ar mhealltacht na Gaeilge i scoileanna agus programmes aimed at broadening the i bpobail a leathnú. Is ar chaighdeáin a appeal of the Irish language in schools and ardú agus ar fhorbairt scileanna Gaeilge communities. The Programme is primarily tuismitheoirí le gur fearr a thig leo tacú le focused on raising standards and to foghlaim a gcuid páistí atá príomhfhócas an develop parents Irish language skills to Chláir. enable them to better support their children’s learning. 4.58 I mí Iúil 2013, d’fhaomh Airí an Fhorais 4.58 In July 2013, the North South Ministerial Teanga den Chomhairle Aireachta Council Language Body Ministers Thuaidh Theas na socruithe nua maoinithe approved new funding arrangements to le teacht in ionad samhail bhunmhaoinithe replace Foras na Gaeilge’s existing core Fhoras na Gaeilge a bhí ann cheana. Dá funding model with 6 lead organisations, bharr sin, beidh 6 cheanneagraíocht ag operating on an all-island basis to deliver a feidhmiú ar bhonn uile-oileáin chun roinnt number of strategic priorities. The lead tosaíochtaí straitéiseacha a sholáthar. Ba organisations with the strategic priority of chóir do na ceanneagraíochtaí a bhfuil an focussing on language centred community tosaíocht straitéiseach acu le díriú ar development and language use should fhorbairt phobail theangabhunaithe agus consider how they might contribute úsáid teanga, a machnamh a dhéanamh ar positively to promoting the family an dóigh a gcuirfidh siad go dearfach le cur transmission of the Irish language in this chun cinn sheachadadh na Gaeilge sa part of the island. teaghlach sa chuid seo den oileán.

An Ghaeilge agus an Pobal The Irish Language and the Community

CUSPÓIR 3: Líon na ndaoine atá ag foghlaim OBJECTIVE 3: To increase the numbers of na Gaeilge taobh amuigh den those learning the Irish chóras fhoirmiúil oideachais a language outside of formal mhéadú. education. CUSPÓIR 4: Tacú le méadú i líon na bpáistí OBJECTIVE 4: To support an increase in the atá á dtógáil trí Ghaeilge. numbers of children being reared through Irish. CUSPÓIR 5: Na hoibleagáidí uilig a OBJECTIVE 5: To meet all obligations bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge faoin towards the Irish language Chairt Eorpach do Theangacha under the European Charter Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh a for Regional or Minority chomhlíonadh. Languages. CUSPÓIR 7: Feasacht ar luach OBJECTIVE 7: To increase awareness of the eacnamaíochta agus sóisialta na economic and social value of Gaeilge a mhéadú. the Irish language. CUSPÓIR 9: Pleananna agus tionscnaimh OBJECTIVE 9: To develop sustainable and phobalbhunaithe, áitiúla, quality local community-based inbhuanaithe agus Irish language plans and ardcháilíochta don Ghaeilge a initiatives. fhorbairt. CUSPÓIR 10: Deiseanna a chur ar fáil an OBJECTIVE 10: To provide opportunities to use Ghaeilge a úsáid don réimse is Irish to as wide a range of leithne daoine agus is féidir trí people as possible by ghréasáin theaghlaigh, encouraging family, social and shóisialta agus phobail a community-based language spreagadh. networks. CUSPÓIR 11: Tacú le méadú an líon daoine a OBJECTIVE 11: To support an increase in the labhraíonn Gaeilge ar bhonn number of daily speakers of the laethúil. Irish language. CUSPÓIR 12: Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an OBJECTIVE 12: To increase positive attitudes Ghaeilge a mhéadú i ngach cuid to the Irish language den phobal. throughout the community. CUSPÓIR 13: Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an OBJECTIVE 13: To increase positive attitudes Ghaeilge a mhéadú sa phobal towards the Irish language in Phrotastúnach, Aontachtach, the Protestant Unionist Dhílseach. Loyalist community.

Cur chun cinn na Gaeilge i ngach Promotion of the Irish Language cuid den phobal throughout the Community

4.59 Áirítear le bunphrionsabail agus 4.59 Part II of the European Charter for bunchuspóirí Chuid II den Chairt Eorpach Regional and Minority Languages includes, do Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh, among its fundamental principles and aitheantas do theangacha réigiúnacha nó objectives, recognition of regional or mionlaigh mar shlí ina gcuirtear saibhreas minority languages as an expression of cultúrtha in iúl agus an gá atá le beart cultural wealth and the need for resolute daingean le teangacha den sórt seo a chur action to promote such languages. Part II

chun cinn. Moltar fosta i gCuid II cur chun also advocates the promotion of mutual cinn na comhthuisceana idir gach grúpa understanding between all the country’s teanga sa tír.19 Is tábhachtach go ndéantar linguistic groups.19 It is important that bearta le tacaíocht agus glacadh a ghnóthú steps are taken to gain support and don Ghaeilge as gach cuid den phobal. acceptance for the Irish language from all sections of the community. 4.60 Sainaithnítear i dTosaíocht 4 de Chlár 4.60 Priority 4 of the Executive’s Programme for Rialtais 2011-2015 an Fheidhmeannais Government 2011-2015 identifies a Straitéis don Ghaeilge mar bhunchloch Strategy for the Irish language as a key dhúshraithe le ‘pobal láidir, comhroinnte a building block for ‘building a strong and chothú’. Liostaítear sa Chlár Rialtais shared community’. The Programme for caidreamh a chothú idir pobail mar fhócas Government lists building relationships i dTosaíocht 4 agus aithnítear sa Straitéis between the communities as a focus of seo go bhfuil dúshláin ar leith ag baint le Priority 4 and this Strategy recognises that cur chun cinn na Gaeilge leis an phobal there are particular challenges involved in Phrotastúnach, Aontachtach, Dhílseach promoting the Irish language to the (PUL). Protestant, Unionist, Loyalist (PUL) community. 4.61 Cuirfear réimse beart in áit le: 4.61 A range of measures will be put in place to: . dearcthaí dearfacha ar an Ghaeilge a . nurture positive attitudes towards the chothú i ngach cuid den phobal trí níos Irish language throughout all the mó caoinfhulaingthe, tuisceana agus community by encouraging more teagmhála leis an teanga a chothú; tolerance, understanding and engagement with the language; . aitheantas a ghnóthú ó líon suntasach . achieve recognition from a significant daoine ó gach pobal, idir reiligiúnach body of people from all religious and agus pholaitiúil, gur gné thábhachtach í political communities that the Irish an Ghaeilge i gcomhoidhreacht an language is an important strand in the phobail ar fad; common heritage of the entire community; . réamhthuairimí diúltacha a laghdú agus . reduce negative preconceptions and tuiscint agus caoinfhulaingt faoin encourage understanding and Ghaeilge agus lucht a labhartha a chur tolerance about the Irish language and chun cinn trí fhócas ar leith, ach chan its speakers, with a particular, although go hiomlán, ar an phobal PUL; agus not exclusive, focus on the PUL community; and . tacú le tionscnaimh chun feasacht, . support initiatives to increase tuiscint, caoinfhulaingt agus foghlaim awareness, understanding, tolerance Ghaeilge a mhéadú i réimsí a and learning of the Irish language in bhaineann, den chuid is mó, leis, an areas associated mainly with the PUL pobal PUL. community.

19 European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, Article 7 Objectives and Principles

Pleanáil don Ghaeilge Irish Language Planning

4.62 Is tábhachtach go gcruthaítear dálaí áitiúla 4.62 It is important that local conditions are inar féidir rath a bheith ar an Ghaeilge mar created in which the Irish language can theanga bheo agus í a fhorbairt mar prosper as a living language and develop as theanga roghnaithe ag réimse de phobail a language of choice for a range of Ghaeilge bheo, bhríomhara, inbhuanaithe, thriving, vibrant, sustainable, bilingual Irish dátheangacha. Is cuidiú í an Straitéis don language communities. The Irish Ghaeilge 2010-2030 de chuid Rialtas na Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the hÉireann le heolas a chur ar fáil don Irish Language 2010-2030 has helped straitéis seo chun í a fhorbairt ach is é is inform and develop this Strategy but the aidhm do Réimse Gnímh na Gaeilge agus intention of the Irish Language and the an phobail díriú ar a gcaithfear a Community area for action is to focus on dhéanamh lena chinntiú go léiríonn what needs to be done in relation to pleanáil don Ghaeilge riachtanais áitiúla ensuring that Irish language planning teanga. reflects local language needs. 4.63 Beidh tionchar dearfach ag feidhmiú 4.63 The roll out of the Irish Government’s 20- céimneach Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010- 2010-2030 de chuid Rialtas na hÉireann ar 2030 will positively impact on local Irish thorthaí Gaeilge áitiúla maidir leis an language outcomes in terms of enhancing Ghaeilge a fheabhsú agus a fhorbairt. Mar and developing the Irish language. For shampla, tá cuid mhór buntáistí ag baint le example, there are many benefits arising réimse de tháirgí, seirbhísí agus torthaí from the existence of a range of Irish Gaeilge a thiocfaidh as an Straitéis 20 language products, services and outcomes Bliain a bheith ar fáil. Ar na buntáistí is which will accrue as a result of the 20- mó, maidir le pleanáil teanga ar bhonn Year Strategy, not least that locally in áitiúil, gur chóir go mbeadh príomhfhócas terms of language planning a major focus ar phobail ghníomhacha áitiúla Ghaeilge a should be on growing active local Irish fhás. language communities. Pleananna Áitiúla don Ghaeilge Local Irish Language Plans

4.64 Ba chóir gurbh é aidhm plean áitiúil teanga 4.64 The aim of a local language plan should be muintir na háite agus grúpaí to draw together local people and public / poiblí/deonacha a tharraingt le chéile le voluntary groups to facilitate the use of húsáid na Gaeilge a éascú. Is féidir é seo a Irish. This can be achieved through dhéanamh trí chomhordú agus feasacht increased co-ordination and public phoiblí a mhéadú ar thionscnaimh agus awareness of existing Irish language gníomhaíochtaí reatha Gaeilge. initiatives and activities. 4.65 Is é dhéanfaidh pleananna áitiúla Gaeilge: 4.65 Local Irish language plans will: . dálaí sóisialta a chruthú trína gcothófar . create social conditions that will dearcthaí dearfacha ar an Ghaeilge nurture positive attitudes towards Irish agus a húsáid ghinearálta a mhéadú; and an increase in its general use; . úsáid na Gaeilge a phríomhshruthú mar . mainstream the use of Irish as a mheán cumarsáide sóisialta agus medium of social and institutional institiúideach; agus communication; and . béim a chur ar an dlúthbhaint idir an . emphasise the close relationship Ghaeilge agus dearcthaí a bhaineann le between the Irish language and

ceisteanna cháilíocht na beatha, na attitudes which relate to quality of life timpeallachta agus an gheilleagair áitiúil. issues, the environment and the local economy. 4.66 Ba chóir go dtiocfadh torthaí amhail fás ar 4.66 The implementation of local Irish language fhoghlaim scoile agus ar thionscnaimh agus plans should result in outcomes such as deiseanna úsáidte teanga de bharr growth in school learning and language feidhmiú pleananna áitiúla Gaeilge. Ba usage initiatives and opportunities. Other chóir go léireodh torthaí eile an Ghaeilge outcomes should reflect greater use of a bheith á húsáid níos mó taobh amuigh Irish outside of school – in sport and den scoil – i gcúrsaí spóirt agus fóillíochta, recreation, at work, in libraries, through san ionad oibre, i leabharlanna, tríd an adult learning and other community fhoghlaim i measc daoine fásta agus trí activities. ghníomhaíochtaí pobail eile. 4.67 Díríonn dhá eagraíocht de chuid 4.67 Two of Foras na Gaeilge’s lead cheanneagraíochtaí Fhoras na Gaeilge ar organisations, which have a focus on (i) (i) forbairt deiseanna agus gréasáin úsáidte the development of language-use teanga, agus (ii) ardú feasachta teanga, ina opportunities and networks, and (ii) mbeidh ról ar leith aici trí pháistí agus language awareness raising, will have a daoine óga a spreagadh chun a gcuid particular role by encouraging children Gaeilge a fheabhsú trí rannpháirtíocht i and young people to improve their Irish ngníomhaíochtaí ábhartha taobh amuigh through participation in relevant activities den seomra ranga. outside the classroom. Tionscnaimh Áitiúla Gaeilge Local Irish Language Initiatives

4.68 Déanfar pleananna teanga a 4.68 Language plans will be delivered in part pháirtsholáthar trí thionscnaimh theanga a through language initiatives which will be fhorbrófar le pobail agus gréasáin developed to help foster and create inbhuanaithe úsáidte Gaeilge a chothú sustainable Irish language communities and agus a chruthú. Is i bpobail a bhfuil networks. These initiatives will be in bunmhais chriticiúil bainte amach acu (.i. communities that have achieved a basic áit a bhfuil go leor cainteoirí Gaeilge ina critical mass (i.e. where sufficient Irish gcónaí, ag obair agus ag úsáid seirbhísí) a speakers live, work and use services) to bheas na tionscnaimh seo le ensure the sustainability of projects of hinbhuanaitheacht tionscadail phobail agus community and state support for the Irish tacaíocht stáit a chinntiú don Ghaeilge. language. These projects might include D’fhéadfaí go n-áireofaí leis na tionscadail childcare facilities through Irish, IME seo saoráidí cúram leanaí trí mheán na schools and units, Irish language youth Gaeilge, aonaid agus scoileanna GS, clubs and other relevant Irish language cumainn óige Ghaeilge agus seirbhísí services e.g. mother and toddler groups. Gaeilge ábhartha eile m.sh. grúpaí máithreacha agus páistí. 4.69 Tabharfaidh Foras na Gaeilge tacaíocht do 4.69 Foras na Gaeilge will provide support for thionscnaimh pleanáil teanga den sórt seo. such language planning initiatives. Foras na Leanfaidh Foras na Gaeilge fosta de thacú Gaeilge will also continue to support Irish le hoifigigh Ghaeilge taobh istigh de language officers within local councils and chomhairlí áitiúla agus is tábhachtach go it is important that the role of these bhforbrófar agus go gcuirfear le ról na n- officers is developed and built upon;

oifigeach seo; go deimhin, maidir leis na indeed, in those council areas that have ceantair chomhairle sin nach bhfuil oifigigh yet to appoint Irish language officers it is Ghaeilge ceaptha go fóill acu is important that this is addressed tábhachtach go rachfar ina cheann seo, go particularly in the context of the delivery háirithe i gcomhthéacs soláthar seirbhísí of Irish language services following the Gaeilge i ndiaidh leasú rialtais áitiúil. reform of local government. 4.70 Tabharfaidh Foras na Gaeilge tacaíocht 4.70 Foras na Gaeilge will also provide support fosta do thionscnaimh pleanála áitiúla tríd for local planning initiatives through the an cheanneagraíocht a bhfuil fócas lead organisation that has a strategic focus straitéiseach aici ar fhorbairt phobail agus on community and economic eacnamaíochta, i dtaca le pleanáil teanga development, particularly with regard to agus forbairt acmhainne go háirithe. language planning and capacity building. 4.71 Ba chóir thionscnaimh teanga a bhreithniú 4.71 Language initiatives should also be fosta le go mbunófar ‘siopaí pobail ilearraí’ considered in order to provide for the le: establishment of ‘one-stop community shops’ to: . comhairle a thabhairt do thuismitheoirí . provide advice to new parents who nua ar mian leo a bpáistí a thógáil go wish to raise their children bilingually; dátheangach; . comhairle a thairiscint ar an réimse . offer guidance on the range of Irish- deiseanna oideachas Gaelscolaíochta medium educational opportunities atá ar fáil; which are available; . cuidiú le forais phoiblí agus dheonacha . assist public and voluntary ar mian leo cur leis an mhéid Gaeilge a organisations who wish to increase úsáideann siad; agus their use of Irish; and . gnólachtaí ar mian leo seirbhís . encourage businesses who wish to dhátheangach a thairiscint dá offer a bilingual service using Irish and gcustaiméirí, ag úsáid Gaeilge agus English to their customers. Béarla araon, a spreagadh. 4.72 Ba chóir go ndíreodh tionscnaimh áitiúla 4.72 In particular local language initiatives teanga ar phaistí agus daoine óga go should focus on Irish language services for háirithe trí dheiseanna foghlama agus children and young people by providing or sóisialta a sholáthar nó a fheabhsú lena enhancing social and learning gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid taobh amuigh den opportunities for children and young seomra ranga i réimse de ghníomhaíochtaí people to use their Irish outside the cultúrtha, sóisialta, fóillíochta agus spóirt. classroom in a range of cultural, social, leisure and sporting activities. Foghlaim Teanga d’Aosaigh Adult Language Learning

4.73 Is gá cur chuige comhordaithe a bheith 4.73 A co-ordinated approach to the provision ann i leith soláthar cúrsaí Gaeilge san of Irish language courses in the adult earnáil foghlaim teangacha d’aosaigh. language learning sector needs to be Sainathníodh go dtiocfadh le hAcadamh adopted. It has been identified that an Gaeilge cur leis an phróiseas seo. Irish Language Academy could contribute to this process.

Acadamh Gaeilge Irish Language Academy

4.74 Ag deireadh 2013, choimisiúnaigh RCEF 4.74 At the end of 2013, DCAL commissioned staidéar féidearthachta ar an ghá atá le a feasibility study on the need for an Irish hAcadamh Gaeilge agus an ról a Language Academy and the role it might d’fhéadfadh a bheith aige. Deimhníodh sa play. The study confirmed that an staidéar go mbeadh Acadamh le leas na Academy would be beneficial for the Irish Gaeilge, mar shampla trí thabhairt faoi language, for example by addressing issues cheisteanna a bhaineann le: associated with: . mar a fhoghlaimíonn agus a úsáideann . how adults learn and use the Irish daoine fásta an Ghaeilge; language; . pleanáil teanga áitiúil don Ghaeilge agus . local Irish language planning and the úsáid Ghaeilge Uladh; use of Ulster Irish; . infhaighteacht agus costas cúrsaí agus . availability and cost of courses and acmhainní; resources . ceannasaíocht don Ghaeilge; . leadership for the Irish language; . forbairt eacnamaíochta agus fostaíocht. . economic development and employment. 4.75 Tabharfaidh RCEF faoi obair le hAcadamh 4.75 DCAL will take forward work to establish Gaeilge a bhunú. an Irish Language Academy. An Earnáil Dheonach The Voluntary Sector

4.76 Ba chóir ról a bheith ag an earnáil áitiúil 4.76 The local voluntary sector should have a dheonach i bhforbairt pleananna agus role to play in the development of tionscnaimh áitiúla inbhuanaithe sustainable and quality local Irish language ardcháilíochta. Ba chóir do ghrúpaí pobail plans and initiatives. Community groups, agus d’eagraíochtaí áitiúla cultúrtha agus cultural and local sports organisations spóirt bheith páirteach fosta. Is gá deis a should also be involved. The voluntary thabhairt don earnáil dheonach ionchur a sector needs to be given an opportunity bheith acu ar pholasaí ag an leibhéal to contribute to policy at the relevant ábhartha agus ba chóir tacaíocht a level, and support should be given to thabhairt do ghrúpaí agus do pháirtithe groups and stakeholders that want to help leasmhara ar mian leo cuidiú a thabhairt i the local enhancement, protection and leith fheabhsú, chosaint agus fhorbairt na development of the Irish language. Gaeilge ar bhonn áitiúil. Ionaid Acmhainní Resource Centres 4.77 Ba chóir tacaíocht a thabhairt do cheantair 4.77 Local areas where a critical mass of Irish áitiúla ina bhfuil mais chriticiúil de speakers exists should be supported and chainteoirí Gaeilge agus iad a spreagadh trí encouraged by the development of fhorbairt sainionaid acmhainní Gaeilge. dedicated Irish language resource centres. D’fheadfaí go gcuimseofaí in ionaid den Such centres might include theatre space, sórt seo spás amharclainne, siopaí caife coffee shops and restaurants, bookshops, agus bialanna, siopaí leabhar, oifigí offices for Irish language organisations, d’eagraíochtaí Gaeilge, ionaid idirlín, ábhair internet centres, historical materials, stairiúla, seomraí cruinnithe agus meeting and conference rooms, display comhdhála, ionaid taispeántais agus aonaid areas, and research and development tionscnamh taighde agus forbartha. start-up units.

An Ghaeilge agus na hEalaíona The Irish Language and the Arts

4.78 Aithníonn Comhairle Ealaíon Thuaisceart 4.78 The Arts Council Northern Ireland Éireann (ACNI) le tamall anuas agus (ACNI) has for some time recognised and tugann siad tacaíocht d’ealaíona Gaeilge supported Irish language arts as living mar ghnéithe beo dár n-oidhreacht elements of our local cultural heritage. chultúrtha áitiúil. Tacaítear le ACNI’s activities are supported by a gníomhaíochtaí ACNI trí Pholasaí Ealaíon Language Arts Policy, underpinned by an Teanga, a bhfuil Iniúchadh agus Anailís Audit and Needs Analysis of the Arts of Riachtanais Ealaíona Gaeilge agus Ultaise Irish and Ulster-Scots (2003) and by a (2003) mar bhonn agus taca faoi agus trí sectoral consultation report, The Arts of thuarascáil chomhairliúcháin earnála, The Irish (2005). ACNI will continue to Arts of Irish (2005). Leanfaidh ACNI recognise and support the importance of d’aithint agus de thacaíocht a thabhairt do the arts, literature and creativity in thábhacht na n-ealaíon, na litríochta agus relation to the overarching importance of na cruthaitheachta maidir le tábhacht the Irish language. fhoriomlán na Gaeilge. 4.79 Tá stair shuntasach filíochta agus próis sa 4.79 There is a noted history of poetry and Ghaeilge agus is comhartha é táirgeadh prose in the Irish language and production litríochta den sórt seo gur teanga bheoga í of such literature is a sign of a vibrant a chuireann le léann, cruthaitheacht agus language and fuels learning, creativity and le buanú na Gaeilge sa saol domhandaithe. the survival of the Irish language in a Caithfear tacú le ról na n-ealaíon agus na globalised world. The role of the arts and cruthaitheachta i gcomhthéacs na filíochta, creativity in the context of poetry, prose, an phróis, na scéalaíochta, an cheoil, na storytelling, music, song and dance in the hamhránaíochta agus an damhsa i bhfriotal articulation of the Irish language needs to na Gaeilge agus iad a fhorbairt. Nuair a be supported and developed. Given the chuirtear san áireamh an ríthábhacht atá le critical importance of children and young páistí agus daoine óga má tá an Ghaeilge le people, if the Irish language is to prosper maireachtáil, ba chóir béim a chur ar an emphasis should be placed on Irish- imeachtaí agus gníomhaíochtaí ealaíne medium education arts events and Gaelscolaíochta ina mbíonn páistí agus activities involving the participation and daoine óga i láthair agus páirteach. attendance of children and young people. 4.80 Bearna aitheanta in earnáil na Gaeilge is ea 4.80 An identified gap within the Irish language an gá atá le tacú le healaíontóirí aonair atá sector is the need to support individual ag obair trí mheán na Gaeilge, m.sh. artists working in the medium of Irish, e.g. scríbhneoirí, ceoltóirí agus scéalaithe. Ba writers, musicians and storytellers. Foras chóir d’Fhoras na Gaeilge leanúint d’úsáid na Gaeilge should continue to promote na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn sna healaíona the use of Irish in the arts and should agus bheith ag obair i gcomhpháirt le work with bodies such as the ACNI to forais ar nós ACNI lena fháil amach cad é establish what might be done to promote a d’fhéadfaí a dhéanamh le tacú le hobair and support the work of Irish language ealaíontóirí Gaeilge agus í a chur chun artists. cinn.

Seirbhísí Poiblí Public Services

CUSPÓIR 5: Na hoibleagáidí uilig a OBJECTIVE 5: To meet all obligations bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge faoin towards the Irish language Chairt Eorpach do Theangacha under the European Charter Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh a for Regional or Minority chomhlíonadh. Languages. CUSPÓIR 8: Cosaint reachtaíochta a ghnóthú OBJECTIVE 8: To secure legislative protection don Ghaeilge. for the Irish language. CUSPÓIR 10: Deiseanna a chur ar fáil an OBJECTIVE 10: To provide opportunities to use Ghaeilge a úsáid don réimse is Irish to as wide a range of leithne daoine agus is féidir trí people as possible by ghréasáin theaghlaigh, encouraging family, social and shóisialta agus phobail a community-based language spreagadh. networks. CUSPÓIR 11: Tacú le méadú an líon daoine a OBJECTIVE 11: To support an increase in the labhraíonn Gaeilge ar bhonn number of daily speakers of the laethúil. Irish language. CUSPÓIR 12: Dearcthaí dearfacha ar an OBJECTIVE 12: To increase positive attitudes Ghaeilge a mhéadú i ngach cuid to the Irish language den phobal. throughout the community.

4.81 Maítear sa Chairt Eorpach do Theangacha 4.81 The European Charter for Regional or Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh (an Chairt) go Minority Languages (the Charter) states bhfuil buntábhacht, i dtaca le stádas agus that it is fundamental to the status of forbairt na dteangacha réigiúnacha nó regional or minority languages and their mionlaigh de, go gceadaítear iad a úsáid development to allow their use in dealings nuair a bhítear ag plé le húdaráis phoiblí. Is with public authorities. Language is a meán cumarsáide í teanga agus ní féidir í a means of public communication and theorannú go dtí an réimse príobháideach cannot be reduced to the sphere of amháin. Lena chois sin, maítear sa Chairt private relations alone. Furthermore, the mura n-úsáidtear nó mura bhfuil teanga Charter states that if a language is not feiceálach i réimse na polaitíochta, an dlí used or visible in the political, legal or ná an riaracháin, “go gcaillfidh sí a cumas administrative sphere, “it will gradually lose téarmaíochta ar fad sa réimse sin agus all its terminological potential in that field and teanga ‘faoi bhac’ a bheas inti nach féidir become a ‘handicapped’ language, incapable gach gné de shaol an phobail a chur in iúl of expressing every aspect of community inti”.20 life”.20 4.82 Is gléas tábhachtach í an Chairt le seirbhísí 4.82 The Charter is an important vehicle for poiblí i nGaeilge a chur ar fáil agus is the provision of public services in Irish tábhachtach, mar sin de, go bhfeidhmítear and so it is important that all the articles go hiomlán na hairteagail uilig, atá in Part III, which have been agreed by the comhaontaithe ag Rialtas na Breataine, i UK Government, are implemented fully. gCuid III.

20 European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages – Explanatory Note, Paragraph 101

4.83 Caithfidh cainteoirí Gaeilge bheith in ann a 4.83 Irish speakers need to be able to conduct ngnóthaí a dhéanamh tríd an Ghaeilge le their business through Irish with central Ranna rialtais, idir lárnach agus áitiúil, le and local government Departments, other forais eile earnáil phoiblí agus leis an public sector bodies and the legal system. chóras dlí. Ba chóir do na Ranna agus na All these Departments and bodies should forais seo uilig úsáid na Gaeilge a éascú i facilitate the use of Irish both orally and in bhfoirm bhéil agus scríofa araon. Bheadh writing. This would include all gach Roinn a chuireann amach agus a Departments producing and adhering to a chloíonn le Cód Cúirtéise a shásaíonn Code of Courtesy that meets the needs of riachtanais na ndaoine sin ar mian leo a those who wish to conduct their business ngnó leis an Roinn a dhéanamh trí with the Department through Irish. Ghaeilge. 4.84 Is dóigh éifeachtach agus inbhuanaithe le 4.84 An approach focussing on those areas in freastal ar éileamh é cur chuige a dhíríonn which sustainable and quality Irish ar na ceantair sin ina bhfuil pobail agus language communities and networks exist gréasáin inbhuanaithe, ardcháilíochta ag and are being developed is an effective úsáid na Gaeilge nó ina bhfuil siad á and sustainable way to meet demand. bhforbairt. 4.85 Caithfear cláir feasacht agus oiliúint teanga 4.85 Language awareness and language training a chur ar fáil sa dóigh go dtig le céatadán programmes need to be provided so that ard d’fhoireann na seirbhísí poiblí seirbhísí a higher proportion of public service staff a thabhairt go héifeachtach i nGaeilge do can effectively deliver services in Irish to chustaiméirí a iarrann iad. Ba chóir na cláir customers who seek them. These seo a chur in oiriúint do riachtanais programmes should be tailored to meet úsáideoirí na Gaeilge i gcodanna éagsúla the needs of Irish users in different parts den earnáil phoiblí. of the public sector. 4.86 Ba chóir bearta a dhéanamh sna háiteanna 4.86 Where the Executive has permanent ina bhfuil ionadaíocht bhuan ag an international representation, measures Fheidhmeannas leis an Ghaeilge a chur should be taken to ensure the promotion chun cinn, mar shampla in Washington of Irish, for example in Washington and agus sa Bhruiséil. Brussels. 4.87 Caithfidh comhairlí áitiúla: 4.87 Local councils need to: . a chinntiú, i ndiaidh fheidhmiú an . ensure that following the Athbhreithnithe ar Riarachán Poiblí implementation of the Review of agus ar aon dul le ceanglais na Cairte Public Administration and in line with Eorpaí do Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó the requirements of the European Mionlaigh, go soláthraíonn siad Charter for Regional or Minority seirbhísí éifeachtacha Gaeilge; Languages they provide effective Irish language services; . soláthar seirbhísí i nGaeilge a . maximise the provision of services uasmhéadú lena n-áirítear úsáid through Irish including the use of Irish acmhainní Gaeilge atá forbartha ag language resources developed by Foras Foras na Gaeilge amhail an Líne na Gaeilge such as the Helpline, Chabhrach, Freagra, Aistear agus Freagra, Aistear, and the Panel of Painéal na nAistritheoirí agus na accredited Translators and Editors; nEagarthóirí creidiúnaithe; . polasaithe agus pleananna Gaeilge a . adopt Irish language policies and plans ghlacadh chucu féin agus oifigigh and appoint Irish language officers;

Ghaeilge a cheapadh; . áiseanna a thionscnamh nó a mhéadú . initiate or expand facilities for the use le haghaidh úsáid na Gaeilge ina of Irish in their council and committee gcruinnithe comhairle nó coiste; meetings; . infheictheacht na Gaeilge a mhéadú trí . increase the visibility of the Irish phoiblíocht a dhéanamh go bhfuil language by publicising the availability seirbhísí Gaeilge ar fáil uathu; of their Irish language services; . leagan Gaeilge nó dátheangach a chur . provide an Irish or bilingual version of ar fáil dá bhfoilseacháin, doiciméid publications, official documents and oifigiúla agus foirmeacha ar aon dul le forms in line with the approach of this cur chuige na Straitéise seo agus na Strategy and the European Charter for Cairte Eorpaí do Theangacha Regional or Minority Languages; Réigiúnacha; . caomhnú agus comharthaíocht chuí . facilitate the proper preservation and logainmneacha Gaeilge agus ainmniú signposting of Irish place-names and Gaeilge forbairtí úra tithíochta a éascú; the naming of new housing agus developments; and . tionscnaimh thurasóireachta agus . encourage tourism and cultural chultúrtha trí mheán na Gaeilge a chur initiatives through Irish. chun cinn.

Na Meáin agus Teicneolaíocht Media and Technology

Craoltóireacht Broadcasting

4.88 Maíonn Comhairle na hEorpa gur den 4.88 The Council of Europe asserts that the ríthábhacht an t-am agus an spás a thig le time and space which regional or minority teangacha réigiúnacha nó mionlaigh a fháil languages can secure in the media are vital sna meáin maidir lena gcosaint agus nach for their protection and that no language dtig le haon teanga a tionchar a choinneáil can maintain its influence unless it has mura bhfuil fáil aici ar na cineálacha nua access to the new forms of mass meáin chumarsáide.21 communications.21 4.89 Faoin Dearbhú Comhpháirteach, tá Rialtas 4.89 The Joint Declaration 2003 committed the RA tiomanta na bearta cuí a dhéanamh le UK Government to take the necessary ciste a bhunú faoi choinne tacaíocht steps to secure the establishment of a airgeadais do léiriúchán scannánaíocht fund for financial support for Irish agus teilifís Ghaeilge.22 Bunaíodh Ciste language film and television production.22 Craoltóireachta na Gaeilge (CCG) agus The Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) dhá aidhm aige: ábhar ardchaighdeáin was set up with the dual aim of funding Gaeilge a mhaoiniú agus an earnáil Irish language content of high quality and neamhspleách léiriúcháin Ghaeilge a of fostering the Irish speaking independent chothú. Cistíonn CCG íosmhéid 70 uair production sector. The ILBF finances a an chloig d’ábhar Gaeilge sa bhliain a minimum of 70 hours of Irish language chraoltar ar BBC NI, TG4 agus RTÉ. Tá content per year, which is broadcast on maoiniú forbartha agus léiriúcháin ar fáil BBC NI, TG4 & RTÉ. Development and faoi choinne réimse leathan de sheánraí production funding is available for a wide teilifíse. Cuireann CCG maoiniú ar fáil variety of TV genres. The ILBF also fosta faoi choinne réimse de thionscnaimh provides funding for a range of training oiliúna do chainteoirí Gaeilge ar mian leo initiatives for Irish speakers wishing to bheith ag obair nó atá ag obair cheana féin work or are already working in the local san earnáil áitiúil léiriúcháin. production sector. 4.90 Sa 3ú tuarascáil mhonatóireachta aici, thug 4.90 In its 3rd monitoring report, the Council of Coiste Saineolaithe Chomhairle na hEorpa Europe’s Committee of Experts observed faoi deara “go bhfuil todhchaí éiginnte roimh that the ILBF “faces an uncertain future CCG as siocair nach bhfuil socruithe because it has no settled funding

21 European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages – Explanatory Note, Paragraph 107 22 Joint Declaration by the British and Irish Governments, April 2003; Rights, Equality, Identity and Community, Paragraph 30

maoinithe buana aige. D’fhéadfadh tosca arrangements. This could have serious knock- tromchúiseacha don chraoltóireacht Ghaeilge on consequences for broadcasting in Irish”.23 a bheith mar thoradh air seo feasta”. 23 Ós Considering the success of the ILBF and, rud é go bhfuil ag éirí chomh maith sin le in order to provide sustainability, long- CCG, agus le hinbhuanaitheacht a term support for the ILBF should be put ghnóthú, ba chóir tacaíocht fhadtéarmach in place with an emphasis on the a thabhairt do CCG agus béim ar development of Irish language companies. fhorbairt comhlachtaí Gaeilge. 4.91 Tá lucht féachana/margadh nua do chláir 4.91 Recent developments in the growth of theilifíse agus raidió agus ábhair ar líne Irish-medium education (IME) have cruthaithe mar gheall ar fhorbairtí a tharla created a new audience / market for TV ar na mallaibh i bhfás na Gaelscolaíochta and radio programmes and for online (GS). Is tábhachtach go mbíonn cumarsáid materials. It is important that there is ghníomhach idir ionadaithe GS agus active communication between eagrais amhail CCG agus Aonad Gaeilge representatives of IME and bodies such as BBC le heolas a bhailiú ar na réimsí a the ILBF and the BBC’s Irish Language mbeifear ag tabhairt fúthu i léiriúchán cláir Unit to inform the areas that are to be nua theilifíse agus raidió agus sna meáin addressed in the production of new TV nua ar líne sa dóigh go meaitseálann siad, and radio programmes and new online nó cuid acu ar a laghad, riachtanais, réimsí media so that they, at least in part, match suime agus cumais daoine óga i the needs, interests and abilities of young nGaelscoileanna. people in Irish-medium schools. 4.92 Ós rud é gur faoi Rialtas RA atá freagracht 4.92 As responsibility for broadcasting remains na craoltóireachta fós, is den ríthábhacht with the UK Government, engagement teagmháil leis na hAirí freagracha le with the responsible Ministers to seek comhoibriú a iarraidh óna Ranna ar cooperation from their Departments on aidhmeanna agus cuspóirí na Straitéise the aims and objectives of this Strategy is seo. critical. 4.93 Ba chóir do Rialtas RA Acht 4.93 The UK Government should amend the Craoltóireachta 1990 agus Cairt Ríoga Broadcasting Act 1990 and the BBC’s BBC (2005) a leasú le hoibleagáidí dlí a Royal Charter (2005) to place legal chur ar chraoltóirí seirbhís ardcháilíochta obligations on broadcasters to provide a áitiúil Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil. quality local Irish language service. 4.94 Ba chóir don BBC a gcur chuige sa 4.94 The BBC should reflect on their approach Bhreatain Bheag agus in Albain a in Wales and Scotland and provide a bhreithniú agus leibhéal comhréireach proportionate level of funding for Irish as maoinithe a chur ar fáil don Ghaeilge faoi for Scottish Gaelic in Scotland and for mar a dhéanann siad don Ghàidhlig in Welsh in Wales. Albain agus don Bhreatnais sa Bhreatain Bheag. 4.95 Is gá an fhéidearthacht a bhaineann le 4.95 The feasibility of a dedicated local regional cainéal áitiúil réigiúnach Gaeilge, mar atá Irish language channel in the same way cainéal sonrach dá riachtanais teanga in that Scotland and Wales have channels Albain agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, a fhiosrú. dedicated to their language needs to be established.

23 Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers, Application of the Charter in the United Kingdom, 3rd Monitoring Cycle, ECRML (2010) 4, Paragraph 424G

4.96 Ba chóir do ACNI leanúint d’acmhainní a 4.96 ACNI should continue to direct resources dhíriú i dtreo NI Screen le dóthain to NI Screen in order to facilitate maoinithe faoi choinne scannánaíocht agus adequate funding of Irish language film and craoltóireacht Ghaeilge a éascú. broadcasting. 4.97 Ba chóir craoltóireacht Ghaeilge saor in 4.97 Free-to-air access to Irish-medium aisce ó TG4 agus Raidió na Gaeltachta a broadcasting from TG4 and bheith ar fáil ag an daonra ar fad. Raidió na Gaeltachta should be available to the whole population. 4.98 Ba chóir níos mó tacaíochta a thabhairt do 4.98 Increased support should be provided to stáisiúin raidió Ghaeilge i gcomhthéacs Irish language radio stations in the context straitéis ardcháilíochta, inbhuanaithe of developing a quality and sustainable chraoltóireachta a fhorbairt le, mar broadcasting development strategy in shampla, nuacht agus cúrsaí reatha áitiúla order for example to provide high quality ardcháilíochta a chur ar fáil trí mheán na local news and current affairs in the Gaeilge. medium of Irish. 4.99 Ba chóir Raidió Fáilte atá pobalbhunaithe 4.99 The community-based Raidió Fáilte, agus ag craoladh as Béal Feirste a chur broadcasting from Belfast should be chun cinn agus fás an stáisiúin a éascú. encouraged and the growth of the station facilitated. 4.100 Is gá tacaíocht a thabhairt do chruthú 4.100 Support needs to be provided for the ghréasáin raidió pobail ardcháilíochta, creation of quality and sustainable Irish inbhuanaithe Gaeilge dóibh siúd taobh language community radio networks for amuigh de Bhéal Feirste i gceantair inar those outside of Belfast in areas that wish mian leis an phobal éisteacht le Gaeilge to listen to, and use, Irish. agus í a úsáid. An Focal Scríofa The Written Word

4.101 Trí Fhoras na Gaeilge agus eile, ba chóir 4.101 Through Foras na Gaeilge and others, leanúint de tháirgeadh agus de thacaíocht quality and sustainable printed do nuachtáin, irisleabhair agus leabhair newspapers, magazines and books should ardcháilíochta, inbhuanaithe áit ar féidir continue to be produced and supported cainéil éifeachtacha dáileacháin agus where effective distribution channels and díolacháin réasúnta a chur ar bun. Ba chóir reasonable sales can be established. pobail léitheoireachta a fhorbairt Reading communities should be developed d’úsáideoirí na Gaeilge le tacú lena for Irish language users to support their léitheoireacht agus a n-úsáid Gaeilge. reading and use of Irish. 4.102 De réir mar a thagann éabhlóid ar bhonn 4.102 As online and new media technologies and leanúnach ar theicneolaíochtaí úra ar líne, marketing techniques are continually na meáin agus teicnící margaíochta, is evolving, the most effective strategies for dócha go dtiocfaidh athrach suntasach sna developing reading and writing in Irish are blianta atá romhainn ar na straitéisí is likely to change significantly in the coming éifeachtaí le léitheoireacht agus years and should regularly be reviewed. scríbhneoireacht a fhorbairt agus ba chóir Effective planning by the relevant iad a athbhreithniú go rialta. Beidh gá le authorities will be essential. The reading pleanáil éifeachtach ó na húdaráis and writing of Irish should be supported bhainteacha. Ba chóir tacú le through CDs, DVDs, audio books print

léitheoireacht agus scríbhneoireacht na media and other technologies and new Gaeilge trí CDanna, DVDanna, media by: closleabhair, meáin chlóite agus teicneolaíocht eile trí: . forbairt imeachtaí agus gníomhaíochtaí . the development of literary events and liteartha i leabharlanna poiblí ó cheann activities in public libraries throughout ceann na bliana – le scríbhneoireacht the year – encouraging creative chruthaitheach, léamh ó údar, seoltaí, writing, author-readings, launches, clubanna léitheoireachta agus reading and listening clubs, and literary éisteachta agus cláir liteartha do programmes for schools; scoileanna a chur chun cinn; . na forais atá freagrach as imeachtaí . the bodies responsible for Irish cultúrtha Gaeilge a chinntiú go bhfuil language cultural events ensuring they fáil acu ar chainteoirí inniúla Gaeilge have access to competent Irish lena gcuid clár a eagrú agus a speakers to organise and deliver their sholáthar; programmes; . cláir léitheoireachta threoraithe a . providing guided reading programmes sholáthar i scoileanna; agus in schools; and . taispeántas soiléir d’ábhair úra . the prominent display of new materials Ghaeilge i siopaí móra leabhar in Irish in selected designated leading ainmnithe chomh maith le hábhar cuí bookstores, with suitable promotional poiblíochta, seastáin, materials, stands, bookmarks, leabharmharcanna, imeachtaí promotional events, window-displays poiblíochta, taispeántais fuinneoige and author presence (with agus na húdair a bheith i láthair (le collaboration and support of relevant comhoibriú agus tacaíocht public agencies if necessary). gníomhaireachtaí bainteacha poiblí más gá). Ar Líne Agus Meáin Nua Online and New Media

4.103 Éascaíonn forbairt bhreise teicneolaíochtaí 4.103 The further development of online and ar líne agus meáin nua, rochtain níos new media technologies provides the basis leithne ar an Ghaeilge, lena n-áirítear: for wider access to the Irish language including the: . forbairt siopa tarraingteach ar líne . development of an attractive on-line d’ábhair Ghaeilge, ina bhfuil store for Irish materials, showcasing sárthaispeántas de theidil, údair, new titles, authors, reviews, blogs and léirmheasanna, blaganna agus other resources, which could also be acmhainní úra eile a d’fhéadfaí a úsáid used in schools and classes for adult chomh maith i scoileanna agus i learners; ranganna daoine fásta; . forbairt aipeanna le forbairt agus úsáid . development of apps to promote and na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a assist Irish language development and éascú; use; . forbairt mheáin shóisialta mar mhodh . development of social media as a teagmhála le pobal na Gaeilge, an t-aos method of engaging with the Irish óg go háirithe; language community, particularly the young;

. clubanna leabhar Gaeilge a chur chun . promotion and development of book cinn agus a fhorbairt mar thosaíocht i clubs in Irish as a priority in local dtionscnaimh phobail teanga agus community language initiatives, and soláthar tacaíocht chuí ar líne do provision of appropriate on-line chlubanna leabhar; support for book clubs; . forbairt tionscnaimh agus cúrsaí oiliúna . development of initiatives and cuí le scríbhneoireacht Ghaeilge a appropriate training courses to spreagadh i measc daoine óga i réimse encourage writing in Irish by young de mheáin – iriseoireacht, blagáil, people in a range of media – scríbhneoireacht chruthaitheach, journalism, blogging, creative writing, drámaíocht agus scripteanna scannán; drama and film scripts; and agus . cur chun cinn na Gaeilge go . promotion of the Irish language hidirnáisiúnta, go háirithe i measc an internationally, particularly to the Irish diaspóra. diaspora.

Reachtaíocht agus Stádas na Gaeilge Legislation and Status of the Irish Language

Acht na Gaeilge Irish Language Act

4.104 Maítear i gComhaontú Chill Rìmhinn: 4.104 The St Andrews Agreement 2006 states that: Tabharfaidh an Rialtas [RA] isteach The [British] Government will introduce Acht na Gaeilge ina léireofar taithí na an Irish Language Act reflecting on the Breataine Bige agus na hÉireann agus experience of Wales and Ireland and oibreoidh siad i bpáirt leis an work with the incoming Executive to Fheidhmeannas atá le toghadh le enhance and protect the development forbairt na Gaeilge a fheabhsú agus a of the Irish language.24 chosaint.24 4.105 Tá sé seo ag cur le moladh COMEX gur 4.105 This is consistent with the COMEX chóir d’údaráis RA, ar bhonn tosaíochta recommendation that the UK authorities “polasaí cuimsitheach Gaeilge a ghlacadh as a matter of priority “adopt and chucu féin agus a fheidhmiú, agus is trí implement a comprehensive Irish language reachtaíocht a rith an dóigh is fearr”. 25 policy, preferably through the adoption of legislation”.25 4.106 Dúirt an tOllamh Robert Dunbar ó 4.106 Professor Robert Dunbar from the Ollscoil Obar Dheathain, ag labhairt dó ar University of Aberdeen, speaking at a fhóram Páirtíocht um Ilchineálacht26 i Partnership for Diversity forum26 in Sabhal Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, an Coláiste Gàidhlig ar Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic-medium college on an Oileán Sgítheanach, i Meitheamh 2006, the Isle of Skye, in June 2006, stated: ar seisean: Tá reachtaíocht riachtanach do Legislation is necessary for minority theangacha mionlaigh go díreach ar an languages precisely because the ábhar nach mbíonn an timpeallacht environment in which speakers of ina maireann cainteoirí teangacha minority languages exist generally does mionlaigh, den chuid is mó, tacúil. Is not tend to be supportive. Institutions iondúil nach bhfreastalaíonn institiúidí which play an important part in daily a bhfuil ról tábhachtach acu sa saol life of speakers of minority languages laethúil ar riachtanais cainteoirí tend not to respond to their needs.

24 St Andrews Agreement, 2006; Annex B, Human Rights, Equality, Victims and Other Issues 25 Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers, Recommendation CM/RecChL(2010)4 of the Committee of Ministers on the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages by the United Kingdom, 21 April 2010 26 The Partnership for Diversity forum is a project of the European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages

teangacha mionlaigh. Fiú nuair a Even where there is a measure of bhíonn leibhéal caoinfhulaingthe agus tolerance and even goodwill towards fiú dea-thoil ann don mhionlach the linguistic minority, other priorities teanga, cuireann tosaíochtaí eile intrude on the agenda of such isteach ar chláir oibre na n-institiúidí institutions, with the result that the seo agus is é is toradh dó seo gur needs of users of minority languages iondúil go gcuirtear riachtanais na tend to be forgotten.27 gcainteoirí teangacha mionlaigh i leataobh.27 4.107 Tá a n-údar imní curtha in iúl ag Coiste na 4.107 The United Nations Committee on Náisiún Aontaithe ar Chearta Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has Eacnamaíochta, Sóisialta agus Cultúrtha expressed concern that “there is still no “nach bhfuil aon chosaint ar an Ghaeilge i protection in respect of the Irish language in dTuaisceart Éireann, ach go bhfuil cosaint ar Northern Ireland, whereas the Welsh and the an Bhreatnais agus ar an Ghàidhlig trí Acht Gaelic languages are protected by the Welsh na Breatnaise 1993 agus Acht na Gàidhilge Language Act 1993 and the Gaelic Language (Albain) 2005, faoi seach”. Is é moladh an (Scotland) Act 2005, respectively”. The Choiste “go ritheann páirtí an Stáit nó an Committee recommends that “the State riarachán cineachta i dTuaisceart Éireann, party, or the devolved administration in Acht na Gaeilge agus d’aidhm acu teangacha Northern Ireland, adopt an Irish Language mionlaigh agus oidhreacht chultúrtha a Act, with a view to preserving and promoting chaomhnú”.28 minority languages and cultural heritage”.28 4.108 Ba chóir Bille Gaeilge a chur i láthair an 4.108 An Irish Language Bill should be presented Fheidhmeannais agus an Tionóil a luaithe to the Executive and the Assembly at the agus is féidir. earliest possible time. An tAcht um Riar an Chirt (Teanga) Administration of Justice (Language) (Éire) 1737 Act (Ireland) 1737

4.109 Tá an tAcht um Riar an Chirt (Teanga) 4.109 The Administration of Justice (Language) (Éire) 1737, a thoirmisceann úsáid teanga Act (Ireland) 1737, which forbids the use ar bith eile seachas an Béarla in imeachtaí of any language but English in court cúirte, i bhfeidhm abhus go fóill. Faoi proceedings is still in force locally. By the dheireadh an 19ú haois, aisghaireadh na end of the 19th century the relevant Acts hAchtanna ábhartha in Albain, sa were repealed in Scotland and Wales, and Bhreatain Bheag agus ina dhiaidh sin in subsequently in Ireland following the Éirinn i ndiaidh bhunú an Stáit. Tuaisceart foundation of the State. Northern Ireland Éireann amháin a choinníonn an is now alone in retaining the legislation. reachtaíocht. Tá forálacha dlí ann anois Legal provisions are now in place maidir le húsáid na Breatnaise, na regarding the use of Welsh, Gaelic and Gàidhlige agus na Gaeilge i gcúirteanna sa Irish in the courts in Wales, Scotland and Bhreatain Bheag, in Albain agus in Éirinn Ireland respectively.29 faoi seach.29

27 Dunbar, R. (2006) Implementing Language Legislation: A Comparison, Page 3 28 UN Committee for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Concluding Observations for Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2009) E/C.12/GBR/CO/5, Paragraph 37 29 Judicial Review on the Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737 – 8 July 2009

4.110 Déanfar Bille leis an Acht um Riar an 4.110 A Bill to repeal the Administration of Chirt (Teanga) (Éire) 1737 a aisghairm a Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737 will chur faoi bhráid an Fheidhmeannais agus be presented to the Executive and the an Tionóil a luaithe agus is féidir. Assembly at the earliest possible time. Téacsanna Dlí Legal Texts

4.111 Trí ghlacadh le hAirteagal 9(3) den Chairt 4.111 By accepting Article 9(3) of the European Eorpach do Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Charter for Regional or Minority Mionlaigh, tá d’iallach ar Rialtas RA na Languages, the UK Government téacsanna reachtúla is tábhachtaí a chur ar undertakes to make available in Irish the fáil i nGaeilge chomh maith leo sin a most important national statutory texts bhaineann le húsáideoirí Gaeilge go and those relating particularly to users of háirithe. I ndiaidh an tríú timthriall acu le Irish. Following its third cycle to monitor feidhmiú na Cairte a mhonatóiriú, nótáil the application of the Charter, the Coiste na Saineolaithe nár cuireadh Committee of Experts noted that, other tuilleadh téacsanna reachtúla ar fáil i than the three statutory texts mentioned nGaeilge seachas na trí théacs reachtúil a during the first monitoring round, no luadh le linn na chéad bhabhta further statutory texts have been made monatóireachta.30 Ba chóir líon na available in Irish.30 The body of legal texts dtéacsanna dlí a chuirtear ar fáil i nGaeilge provided in Irish should be expanded with a mhéadú ionas go gcuirtear gach téacs the aim of providing all significant legal suntasach dlí ar fáil i nGaeilge. texts in the Irish language.

30 Committee of Ministers, Application of the Charter in the United Kingdom, 3rd Monitoring Cycle, ECRML (2010) 4, Paragraph 349

An Saol Eacnamaíochta Economic Life

4.112 In Languages for the Future – Northern 4.112 The 2012 Languages for the Future – Ireland Languages Strategy a foilsíodh in Northern Ireland Languages Strategy 2012, tarraingítear aird ar “Go nglactar leis points out that “The value of languages for go forleathan go bhfuil luach le teangacha business and economic growth has long been maidir le fás gnó agus eacnamaíochta. Go established. Those with good language skills – bhfuil buntáistí sa mhargadh saothair acu the right language complemented by an siúd a bhfuil scileanna maithe teanga acu – appropriate area of expertise and a good an teanga cheart á comhlánú ag réimse cuí level of intercultural awareness – are well saineolais agus leibhéal maith feasacht placed in the job market.” The Irish idirchultúrtha.” Aithnítear sa Straitéis 20 Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 de chuid Irish Language 2010-2030 acknowledges Rialtas na hÉireann an nasc idir an the link between the Irish language and Ghaeilge agus an geilleagar agus cuirtear the economy and emphasises the béim ar an tábhacht atá le tionscnaimh importance of initiatives and support to agus tacaíocht le húsáid na Gaeilge a chur encourage the use of Irish in economic chun cinn sa tsaol eacnamaíochta. life. 4.113 In Airteagal 13 den Chairt Eorpach do 4.113 Article 13 of the European Charter for Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh, ina Regional or Minority Languages, which dtagraítear do shaol an eacnamaíochta, refers to economic life, places a duty on cuirtear d’iallach ar na stáit sin a those states who have ratified the Charter dhaingnigh an Chairt úsáid teangacha to facilitate and/or encourage the use of réigiúnacha nó mionlaigh faoi mar a regional or minority languages in relation bhaineann siad le gníomhaíochtaí to economic activities. Economic life and eacnamaíochta a éascú agus/nó a chur activity should be considered in the chun cinn. Ba chóir saol agus context of Article 13 with a view as to gníomhaíocht eacnamaíochta a bhreithniú i how the Charter might assist in terms of gcomhthéacs Airteagal 13 lena fháil amach enhancing, protecting and developing the cad é an dóigh ar chuidiú í an Chairt i economic potential of the Irish language. dtaca le feabhsú, cosaint agus forbairt acmhainn eacnamaíochta na Gaeilge.

4.114 Caithfear gach iarracht a dhéanamh a 4.114 Every effort needs to be made to ensure chinntiú go bhfuil gach duine, an earnáil that everyone, including the private phríobháideach san áireamh, eolach ar sector, is aware of the importance of the thábhacht na Gaeilge agus ar na buntáistí Irish language and the economic and eacnamaíochta agus pobail a bhaineann léi. community advantages associated with it. Cuirfidh Foras na Gaeilge béim ar Foras na Gaeilge will stress the thábhacht na mbuntáistí seo trína importance of these advantages through cheanneagraíocht, a bhfuil fócas its lead organisation, which has a strategic straitéiseach aici ar fhorbairt phobail agus focus on community and economic eacnamaíochta, go háirithe faoi mar a development, particularly with regard to bhaineann sí le pleanáil teanga agus language planning and capacity building. forbairt acmhainne. 4.115 Táthar ag dúil, maidir le hAcadamh 4.115 It is expected that an Irish Language Gaeilge faoi mar a thagraítear dó sa Academy, referred to in The Irish rannán An Ghaeilge agus an Pobal, go Language and the Community section, will dtabharfaidh sé chun cinn obair arb aidhm take forward work aimed at: di: . an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn mar . promoting the Irish language as an shócmhainn eacnamaíochta agus economic asset and creating economic deiseanna eacnamaíocha a chruthú; opportunities; and agus . Conairí chun na fostaíochta a fhorbairt . developing pathways to employment do chainteoirí Gaeilge. for Irish speakers. Seirbhísí agus Comharthaíocht Services and Signage

4.116 Caithfear gnólachtaí agus comhlachtaí a 4.116 Businesses and companies need to be chur ar an eolas faoi luach eacnamaíochta made aware of the economic value of the na Gaeilge mar uirlis mhargaíochta, go Irish language as a marketing tool, háirithe i bhforbairt agus seachadadh particularly in developing and delivering seirbhísí trí mheán na Gaeilge agus úsáid services through the medium of Irish and comharthaíocht Ghaeilge nó the use of Irish language signage or dhátheangach. Breithneoidh Foras na bilingual signage. Foras na Gaeilge will Gaeilge dóigheanna a bhféadfaí a consider how its initiative ‘Gnó means thionscnamh ‘Gnó means Business’ a Business’ might be enhanced and fheabhsú agus a fhorbairt ionas go n- developed in order to facilitate, fund and éascófar, go maoineofar agus go spreagfar encourage businesses and companies to gnólachtaí agus comhlachtaí le seirbhísí a develop services through the medium of fhorbairt trí mheán na Gaeilge agus úsáid Irish and the promote the use of Irish comharthaíocht Ghaeilge nó dhátheangach language or bilingual signage. Foras na a chur chun cinn. Leanfaidh Foras na Gaeilge will continue to support initiatives Gaeilge de bheith ag tacú le tioscadail a that encourage small and medium spreagann fiontair bheaga agus enterprises in using Irish on signage and mheánmhéide le Gaeilge a úsáid ar marketing material. chomharthaíocht agus ar ábhar margaíochta.

4.117 Leanfaidh Foras na Gaeilge de 4.117 Foras na Gaeilge will continue to develop thionscnaimh a fhorbairt le tacú le initiatives to support businesses that gnólachtaí a úsáideann an dátheangachas actively use bilingualism. go gníomhach.

4.118 D’fhéadfadh sé gur bonn eolais úsáideach í 4.118 The experience of other regions where taithí réigiúin eile mar a labhraítear minority languages are used, particularly teangacha mionlaigh, go háirithe Albain Scotland and Ireland, might usefully inform agus Poblacht na hÉireann, leis an Ghaeilge the promotion of Irish in our society, e.g. a chur chun cinn inár sochaí, m.sh. i dtaca in relation to the economic value and le luach agus tábhacht eacnamaíoch na importance of Irish language or bilingual Gaeilge nó comharthaíocht dhátheangach. signage. Sain-Cheantair Forbartha Special Development Areas

4.119 Níor baineadh a oiread leasa agus is féidir 4.119 The potential for an Irish-language riamh as an fhéidearthacht a bhaineann le economy has yet to be fully exploited, geilleagar Gaeilge, mar a gcúiteodh an where the costs associated with teacht isteach a chruthófaí trí supporting the development of Irish might thionscnaimh teanga na costais a be offset by income generated through bhaineann le tacú le forbairt na Gaeilge. language initiatives. More needs done to Tá níos mó le déanamh le forbairt facilitate the development of ‘cultúrlanna’ tuilleadh ‘cultúrlanna’ (lárionaid Gaeilge) a (Irish language centres). Research is éascú. Tá taighde de dhíth lena fháil amach required to ascertain the economic cé na buntáistí atá le Cultúrlann Mhic benefits that Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich Adaim Ó Fiaich in Iarthar Bhéal Feirste in West Belfast and Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin agus Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin i nDoire in Derry have brought to their areas. The maidir leis an dá cheantar sin. Is léiriú é recent regeneration of Carn Tóchair in athnuachan Charn Tóchair i nDeisceart South Derry is an indication of the Dhoire ar an mallaibh de na buntáistí economic benefits that can be brought to eacnamaíochta is féidir a thabhairt chuig an area as a result of Irish language ceantar de thoradh forbairt agus development and investment. infheistíocht Ghaeilge. 4.120 Iarrfar ar earnáil Theangacha Dúchasacha, 4.120 The British-Irish Council, Indigenous, Mionlaigh agus Neamh-fhorleathana Minority and Lesser-Used Languages work Chomhairle na Breataine-na hÉireann a sector will be asked to share its taithí a roinnt ar an dóigh is fearr le tacú experiences of how indigenous, minority le geilleagair teangacha dúchasacha, agus language economies can best be mionlaigh agus an aidhm atá leis sin, bonn supported, with a view to informing the eolais a chur faoi fhorbairt geilleagar áitiúil development of a local Irish-language Gaeilge i gceantair Ghaeltachta. economy in Gaeltacht areas. 4.121 Tá ríthábhacht le cur chun cinn agus 4.121 Local Irish language economic promotion forbairt eacnamaíochta na Gaeilge ar and development is vitally important. The bhonn áitiúil. Breithneofar ar fhorbairt development of Gaeltacht areas in both cheantair Ghaeltachta, i suíomhanna urban and rural settings will be considered uirbeacha agus tuaithe araon le haghaidh for support as a generator of local tacaíochta mar ghineadóirí forbairt áitiúil economic development. For example, the eacnamaíochta. Is samplaí de seo iad Gaeltacht Quarter programme for West

tionscadal na Ceathrún Gaeltachta in Belfast and the rural South Derry Iarthar Bhéal Feirste agus Gaeltacht Gaeltacht in Carntogher. Sustainable tuaithe Dhoire Theas i gCarn Tóchair. Gaeltacht areas need to gain official status Caithfear stádas oifigiúil a bhronnadh ar and have incentives attached to such cheantair inbhuanaithe Ghaeltachta agus recognition. dreasachtaí a cheangal d’aitheantas den sórt. 4.122 Is é fís Cheathrú Gaeltachta Iarthar Bhéal 4.122 The vision for the Gaeltacht Quarter in Feirste forbairt ceathrú bheoga, West Belfast is the development of a mheallacach, inbhuanaithe mar a bhfuil a vibrant, compelling and sustainable oiread tairbhe á baint as gné uathúil quarter where the unique selling point and dhíolacháin agus acmhainn eacnamaíochta economic potential of the Irish language na Gaeilge agus an chultúir le buntáistí and culture are exploited and maximised sóisialta agus eacnamaíochta a bhaint to realise social and economic benefits for amach don cheantar, don chathair agus the area, the city and the region. don réigiún. 4.123 Tá gá le tuilleadh taighde ar choincheap 4.123 Further research is needed regarding the agus sainmhíniú ar cad is Gaeltacht ann le concept and definition of what a Gaeltacht freastal ar riachtanais áitiúla sa 21ú haois i is in order to meet local needs in the 21st dtéarmaí rannpháirtíochta sa tsaol century in terms of contributing to eacnamaíochta. Caithfear coincheapa ar economic life. Concepts such as office, nós Gaeltachtaí oifige, scoile, eaglaise, school, church, street, house, online and sráide, tí, ar líne agus ollscoile a fhiosrú university Gaeltachts all need to maidir leis na buntáistí eacnamaíochta atá investigated in terms of the economic le baint astu. benefits they might bring and how best they can contribute to language development. Turasóireacht Chultúrtha Cultural Tourism

4.124 Caithfear na buntáistí agus deiseanna a 4.124 The benefits and opportunities arising éiríonn as an turasóireacht chultúrtha i from cultural tourism in the context of gcomhthéacs gheilleagar cultúrtha na the Irish language cultural economy need Gaeilge a chur chun cinn níos éifeachtaí. to be more effectively promoted. Caithfear gnólachtaí a spreagadh agus a Businesses need to be encouraged and éascú le straitéisí turasóireacht chultúrtha facilitated to develop cultural tourism a fhorbairt agus an Ghaeilge ag croí an strategies with the Irish language as a key scéil go háirithe i dtéarmaí turasóireachta feature particularly in terms of developing bunaithe ar oidhreacht teanga a fhorbairt and promoting linguistic heritage based agus a chur chun cinn. tourism. 4.125 Bíonn Bord Turasóireachta Thuaisceart 4.125 The Northern Ireland Tourist Board Éireann (NITB) tacúil le tionscnaimh (NITB) is supportive of tourism initiatives thurasóireachta a thugann faill do that provide visitors with an opportunity thurasóirí blas a fháil ar eispéiris atá to experience truly unique, authentic and uathúil, fíréanta agus fíorspéisiúil. engaging experiences. Opportunities may D’fhéadfadh deiseanna a bheith ann exist for such experiences to be d’eispéiris den sórt seo a fhorbairt laistigh developed within the context of an Irish de chomhthéacs d’eispéireas Gaeilge dá language experience if tailored to varying

gcuirfí a leithéid in oiriúint do réimsí visitor interest, motivations and éagsúla suime, spreagthaigh agus ionchais expectations. cuairteoirí. 4.126 Fáiltíonn NITB roimh dheiseanna le bheith 4.126 NITB welcomes opportunities to work ag comhoibriú le páirtithe in earnáil na with partners in the Irish language sector Gaeilge i dtéarmaí an t-eispéireas in terms of developing the visitor cuairteora a fhorbairt agus breithneoidh experience and will consider any initiatives siad aon tionscnamh a chomhlíonfaidh na which meet the required criteria through critéir chuí trína scéimeanna maoiniúcháin its open-call funding schemes. glao oscailte. 4.127 Sainaithnítear an Cheathrú Ghaeltachta i 4.127 Belfast City Council’s Integrated Strategic gCreat Comhtháite Straitéiseach Framework for Belfast Tourism 2010- Thurasóireacht Bhéal Feirste 2010-2014 2014, which was developed in partnership de chuid Chomhairle Cathrach Bhéal with NITB, identifies the Gaeltacht Feirste, a forbraíodh i gcomhar le NITB, Quarter as one of the local destinations ar chinn scríbe áitiúla na cathrach. within the city. NITB is supportive of the Tacaíonn NITB leis na tionscnaimh tourism initiatives happening in the thurasóireachta atá ar siúl sa Cheathrú Gaeltacht Quarter and recognises it as an Ghaeltachta agus aithníonn í mar chuid important part of the Belfast Visitor thábhachtach d’Eispéireas Chuairteoirí Experience.31 Bhéal Feirste.31 4.128 Tá Tourism Ireland freagrach as cur chun 4.128 Tourism Ireland is responsible for the cinn oileán an hÉireann i margaí sa promotion of the island of Ireland in Bhreatain Mhór agus thar lear. Bíonn siad i Great Britain and overseas markets. It dteagmháil le NITB agus le réimse leathan engages with the NITB and a wide range d’eagrais agus de ghníomhaireachtaí eile of other organisations and agencies with a lena chinntiú go léirítear go tréan gach gné view to ensuring that all aspects of our dár gcultúr agus oidhreacht éagsúil ina diverse culture and heritage are reflected gcuid ábhair phoiblíochta, ina strongly in its overseas promotional ngníomhaíochtaí agus ina bhfeachtais materials, activities and marketing mhargaíochta do mhargaí thar lear. campaigns. Fiontraíocht Entrepreneurship

4.129 Caithfear fiontraíocht atá bunaithe ar an 4.129 Irish language based entrepreneurship Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn, a éascú agus a needs to be promoted, facilitated and spreagadh. Tá gá le tuilleadh taighde faoi encouraged. Further research is needed mhionsonraí dóigheanna leis an on the detail of how the encouragement fhiontraíocht a chur chun cinn go of entrepreneurship might be effectively héifeachtach trí, mar shampla, tionscnaimh achieved by initiatives such as training ar nós cláir oiliúna, gorlann ghnó agus programmes, business incubation, and the cruthú gréasáin ghnó. creation of business networks for example.

31 Belfast Tourism: Gateway to the Future – An Integrated Strategic Framework for Belfast Tourism 2010 - 2014

4.130 Is tábhachtach fosta tacaíocht a thabhairt 4.130 It is also important that support is made do gheilleagar na Gaeilge chun seirbhísí a available to the Irish language economy to sholáthar, lena n-áirítear: cúrsaí; provide services including: courses; aistriúchán; ateangaireacht agus teagasc translation; interpreting and language teangacha. Is coincheap é ‘an goradán’ atá teaching. The goradán (incubator centre) lonnaithe i gCultúrlann Uí Chanáin Dhoire located in Derry’s Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin a d’fhéadfaí a chur i bhfeidhm i gceantair is a concept which might be usefully eile i dtéarmaí léiriúchán scannánaíochta applied in others areas in terms of Irish agus raidió i nGaeilge nó aonad deartha medium film and radio production or a agus táirgthe le comharthaíocht Ghaeilge design and production unit to provide agus dhátheangach a luadh cheana a Irish and bilingual signage mentioned. sholáthar. 4.131 Leanfaidh Foras na Gaeilge de thacú le 4.131 Foras na Gaeilge will continue to support nuáil Ghaeilge in earnáil an ghnó lena n- Irish language innovation in the business áirítear tacaíocht a thabhairt do sector including provide support to chomhlachtaí foilsitheoireachta le litríocht publishing companies to publish Irish Ghaeilge de gach seánra a fhoilsiú chomh language literature across the genres as maith le scéimeanna a thacaíonn le well as supporting schemes to support scríbhneoirí agus imeachtaí a chuireann writers and events that promote reading léitheoireacht Ghaeilge chun cinn. in Irish.

Cuid 5: Cur i bhFeidhm Part 5: Implementation

5.1 Tabharfaidh Ranna cur i bhfeidhm agus 5.1 The implementation and monitoring of monatóiriú na Straitéise seo chun cinn this Strategy will be taken forward by le cuidiú Fhoras na Gaeilge agus Departments with assistance from Foras páirtithe leasmhara i bpobal na Gaeilge. na Gaeilge and stakeholders in the Irish Ní éireoidh leis an Straitéis ach amháin language community. The Strategy will go mbunófar comhpháirtíocht idir na only be successful if a partnership is páirtithe leasmhara uilig lena n-áirítear established between all stakeholders, Rialtas agus pobal na Gaeilge. including Government and the Irish language community. Grúpa Soláthar Straitéise Strategy Delivery Group

5.2 Is ar Ghrúpa Seachadta Straitéise a 5.2 A Strategy Delivery Group will have bheas freagracht fhoriomlán as a overall responsibility for ensuring that chinntiú go gcomhlíonfar aidhmeanna na the aims of this Strategy are met. The Straitéise seo. Is í an tAire Cultúir, Group will be chaired by the Minister Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta a bheas ina for Culture, Arts and Leisure and will cathaoirleach ar an Ghrúpa agus include senior officials from áireofar leis oifigigh shinsearacha de Departments, Foras na Gaeilge and a chuid na Rann, Foras na Gaeilge agus representative of the Language- ionadaí de chuid an Fhóraim Forbartha Development Forum.32 Teanga.32 5.3 Tabharfaidh Foras na Gaeilge, an foras a 5.3 Foras na Gaeilge, the body set up under bunaíodh faoi Chomhaontú Bhéal the Belfast Agreement to be responsible Feirste leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn for promoting Irish throughout the ar fud oileán na hÉireann, comhairle don island of Ireland, will advise the Strategy Ghrúpa Soláthar Straitéise lena chinntiú Delivery Group to ensure that language gur prionsabail na pleanála teanga atá planning principles inform the Strategy mar bhonn eolais ag an phróiseas implementation process. It will also feidhmiúchán Straitéise. Cinnteoidh sé ensure that the interests of the Irish fosta go gcuirfear leas phobal na Gaeilge language community are represented. in iúl. Is é an Fóram Forbartha Teanga a Foras na Gaeilge will be supported by thacóidh le Foras na Gaeilge. Is é aidhm the Language-Development Forum. The an Fhóraim Forbartha Teanga acmhainn aim of the Language-Development earnáil an phobail a neartú, ag leibhéal Forum is to strengthen the capacity of áitiúil, le hionchur suntasach dearfach a the community sector, at local level, to bheith acu i gcur chun cinn na Gaeilge. make a tangible and positive Cinnteoidh an Fóram Forbartha Teanga contribution to the promotion of the go gcuirfear riachtanais shainiúla pobail Irish language. The Language- teanga san áireamh agus gur fearr an Development Forum will ensure that deis a bheas acu tionchar a bheith acu ar language communities will have their

32 Bhunaigh Foras na Gaeilge an Fóram Forbartha Teanga mar chuid den athbhreithniú ar na hEagrais Bhunmhaoinithe Ghaeilge | Foras na Gaeilge established the Language-Development Forum as part of the review of Irish language core-funded bodies.

straitéis, polasaí agus soláthar seirbhíse. specific requirements taken into account and that they will have an enhanced opportunity to influence strategy, policy and service delivery. 5.4 Is é a dhéanfaidh an Grúpa Soláthar 5.4 The Strategy Delivery Group will: Straitéise: . bheith ina cheannaire agus ina . lead and champion the delivery of chrann taca ag an Straitéis seo; this Strategy; . comhaontú pleananna feidhmiúcháin . agree Departmental implementation Roinne leis an Straitéis seo a plans to deliver this Strategy; sholáthar; . cruinnithe rialta le feidhmiú na . meet regularly to monitor the Straitéise seo a mhonatóiriú; agus implementation of this Strategy; and . tuairisciú ar dhul chun cinn na . report on the progress of this Straitéise. Strategy. Aonad Straitéise Strategy Unit

5.5 Búnófar Aonad Straitéise sa Roinn 5.5 A Strategy Unit within the Department Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta lena of Culture Arts and Leisure will be chinntiú go dtabharfar obair ar sholáthar established to ensure that work on na Straitéise seo chun cinn go delivering this Strategy is progressed héifeachtach. effectively. 5.6 Is é a dhéanfaidh an tAonad Straitéise: 5.6 The Strategy Unit will: . tacaíocht agus comhairle a thabhairt . support and advise the work of the ar obair an Ghrúpa Soláthar Strategy Delivery Group; Straitéise; . ionchur Roinne ar phleananna . commission and coordinate feidhmiúcháin (gníomhaireachtaí agus Departmental input to Forais ar Neamhthuilleamaí san implementation plans (including áireamh) a choimisiúnú agus a agencies and Arms Length Bodies) chomhordú, ag sonrú mar a detailing how they will contribute to chuirfidh siad le soláthar in aghaidh delivering against the key areas for na mbunréimsí gnímh; action; . dul i gcomhairle go rialta le Foras na . consult regularly with Foras na Gaeilge agus leis na sé Gaeilge and with the six specific cheanneagraíocht bhunmhaoinithe, core-funded lead organisations, as de réir mar is cuí; appropriate; . comhairle a thabhairt do Ranna ar . provide advice to Departments on fheidhmiúchán, ag tarraingt ar implementation drawing on the chomhairle Fhoras na Gaeilge agus advice of Foras na Gaeilge and the an Fhóraim Chomhairligh; Advisory Forum; . bheith ag obair go dlúth le Ranna . work closely with Departments and agus le páirtithe leasmhara eile le other stakeholders to take forward feidhmiúchán a thabhairt chun cinn; implementation; . nuashonruithe rialta ar . monitor and publish regular updates fheidhmiúchán na Straitéise seo a on this Strategy’s implementation; mhonatóiriú agus a fhoilsiú;

. tuairisciú ar dhul chun cinn in . report progress against the aghaidh na bpleananna feidhmiúcháin implementation plans to the Strategy leis an Ghrúpa Soláthar Straitéise; Delivery Group; and agus . bheith freagrach as maoirseacht . have responsibility for overseeing fheidhmiúchán na Cairte Eorpaí do the implementation of the European Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Charter for Regional or Minority Mionlaigh, an fheidhm rúnaireachta Languages, including the secretariat san áireamh. function. Fóram Comhairleach Advisory Forum

5.7 Bunófar Fóram Comhairleach, ar a 5.7 An Advisory Forum, comprising the mbeidh an tAonad Straitéise, Foras na Strategy Unit, Foras na Gaeilge, a Gaeilge, ionadaí ón Fhóram Forbartha representative of the Language- Teanga agus páirtithe leasmhara Gaeilge Development Forum and other local áitiúla eile. Irish language stakeholders will be established. 5.8 Is é an ról a bheas ag an Fhóram 5.8 The role of the Advisory Forum will be Chomhairleach comhairle a chur ar an to provide advice to the Strategy Unit Aonad. Lena chois sin, cinnteoidh sé go and to ensure that the views of the gcuirfear tuairimí an phobail in iúl. community are represented. 5.9 Léirítear i bhFíor 3 an gaol idir an Grúpa 5.9 Figure 3 illustrates the relationship Soláthar Straitéise agus an Grúpa between the Strategy Delivery Group Comhairleach. and the Advisory Group.

Ranna Feidhmeannais Executive Departments Aonad Straitéise Strategy Unit GRÚPA SOLÁTHAR STRAITÉISE Foras na Gaeilge FÓRAM COMHAIRLEACH Foras na Gaeilge STRATEGY DELIVERY Fóram Forbartha Teanga ADVISORY FORUM GROUP Language Development Forum Grúpaí Gaeilge Ionadaí ón Fhóram Forbartha Irish Language Groups Teanga Representative from the Language Development Forum

Fíor 3: Struchtúr Feidhmiúchán Straitéise Figure 3: Strategy Implementation Structure

Pleananna Feidhmiúcháin Implementation Plans

5.10 Foilseoidh Ranna pleananna 5.10 Departments will publish feidhmiúcháin agus tuairiscí implementation plans and monitoring monatóireachta ina leagfar amach mar reports, which set out how they are atá siad ag soláthar in aghaidh delivering against the Strategy’s aims, aidhmeanna, chuspóirí agus réimsí objectives and areas for action. gnímh na Straitéise. 5.11 Beidh Ranna freagrach as aidhmeanna 5.11 Departments will be responsible for agus cuspóirí na Straitéise seo a chur in communicating this Strategy’s aims and iúl dá bhforais ar neamhthuilleamaí agus objectives to their arms length bodies le forais phoiblí eile a dtacaíonn siad leo. and other public bodies that they Nuair is infheidhme, déanfaidh Ranna support. Where applicable, idirchaidreamh le forais eile ionas go Departments will liaise with their bodies dtig leo a gcion féin a bheith acu i dtreo in order for them to contribute towards aidhmeanna agus cuspóirí na Straitéise delivering the aims and objectives of this seo a sheachadadh. Strategy. 5.12 Comhlánóidh Plean Corparáideach 5.12 The implementation of this Strategy will Fhoras na Gaeilge feidhmiú na Straitéise be complemented by Foras na Gaeilge’s seo. Corporate Plan. Súil Siar agus Athbhreithniú Review and Revision

5.13 Coinneofar an Straitéis faoi 5.13 The Strategy will be kept under review athbhreithniú agus is féidir go leasofar í and may be revised or replaced.33 nó go gcuirfear Straitéis úr ina háit.33

33 Northern Ireland Act, Section 28D(3)

Tagairtí | References

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Straitéis le Forbairt na Gaeilge a Fheabhsú Strategy to Enhance and Protect the agus a Chosaint Development of the Irish Language 2015 – 2035 2015 – 2035